The record-union., 1899-08-16
CONSERVING FLOOD WATERS
WHAT CHIEF HYDROGRAPHER
NEWELL SAYS.
He Has Investigated the Subject of
Storing the Flood Waters Of
the State.

the State.
The San Francisco Bulletin" of last
evening states that very important de-
Velopments have occurred during the
past two or three weeks relative to the
plan recently proposed by various mer-
chants, mining men and prominent
citizens of this city for the conserVa-
ton Of the flood waters of this State
and the preservation of the forests as
we'll, several articles concerning when
have appeared of late in the Bulletin.
The United States Government has
taken charge of the matter to GER
tain extent and has instituted an inVes-
tigation of the subject that will beyond
any question lead to important and
far-reaching results.
There is in San Francisco at present
Professor Newell, Chief photographer OF
the United States Coast and Geodetlc
Survey Department at Washington, -.
c. Professor Newell is deeply inter-
ested in the proposal for the conserVa-
ton of the States flood waters ana
has come to the Pacific Coast in the
interests of the branch Of the Federal
service which he represents to lnVes-
tigate the subject and to make a re-
port thereon upon his return to WASH
ington.
Monday evening he delivered at the
Assembly Hall of the Academy OF
Sciences building a lecture bearing
upon the subject. His topic was Land
and Flood Waters" and was illus
trated with a series of excellent stere-
opticon views. Professor Newell pre-
sented many interesting facts and
much valuable data to prove the i'm
mense good that will result to the
waters. He illustrated what has been
done in other States and made plain the
practicability of the idea suggested
here. The Professor is a very inter
esting speaker and has had much val
liable experience in such matters.
During the time recently when the
Forest and Water Society commenced
an agitation similar to the one now be-
ing conducted, Professor Newell was
deeply interested and took an active
part in the proceedings seeking to Sc
cure the passage of suitable legislation
for the protection of forests and the
saving of flood waters. He will tell
his hearers what was done at
that time and will also fully set forth
what has been done now, as well as
what it is proposed to do.
That the movement on this coast IS
gaining ground rapidly there can be
no question. Not only are the mining
men interested, but the commercial as
sociations as well, there being upward
of three hundred bodies Of the latter ma
ture that have signified their desire and
willingness to assist actively in the
furtherance of the plan. The agricul-
turists of the State are vitality inter
ested and will be represented. In the
near future as has been stated here
tofore. a convention of all these bodies
will be held to consider the subject fuI-
". appoint the committees necessary
and to form a permanent organization
on the lines best calculated to carry the
project out to a successful termination.
In this city there are many prom
inent citizens interested in the project
for the States welfare. Horace Davis
has been in conference with Z. B.
Pond. F. w. Dohrmann, Attorney Viii
liam Thomas, William H. Mills Of the
Central Pacific and many others. Mr..
Mills is deeply interested particularly
in the preservation Of the California
forests, and has already done much
good work
Colonel John c. fitzpatrick. managing
director of the Sharon estate, is Of the
opinion that the plan as suggested is
practicable.
II know from personal investigation
in the matter" he said. when spoken to
concerning the subject, that the pro-
posal is practicable. Some time ago we
made extended Investigations concern
ing a similar project in Nevada, hav-
ing in view the mining interests partic-
ularly. We found that there were
many places where reservoirs could be
erected, and that they could be very
quickly filed with water. The plan
was feasible in every respect. OF course
if such a scheme could be carried out
in Nevada there is no reason to doubt
that the same thing could be done in
this State.
However. we made similar surveys
and Investigations in California, too,
along the San Joaquin Valley, having in
view the benefits TO agricultural inter-
ests that would result. The results of
our Investigations in this State were
the same as they had been in Nevada.
The plan we found to be entirely prac-
ticable The principal thing to be taken
into consideration. however, is the cost
The expense for such an undertaking
would necessarily be quite heavy. Com
petent men would be required and they
would have to be constantly on guard
TO prevent any undue expenditures.
However. with the assistance of the
State all that, I suppose, could be sat
isfactorily arranged. There is no ques
ton. however. Of the pTacticability of
the plans suggested"
Fruit Shipments Still Heavy.
The fruit shipments yesterday We're
heavy. despite the fact that they were