The Press., 1902-07-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, July 81, 1904.

No better instance of the value OF such
work has been afforded than In the case
OF the irrigation law recently enacted,
which has taxed to Its utmost resources
the mass Of photographic information
which, for the past fourteen years, the
geological survey has been industriouly
collecting. With. the passage of the
Hansbrough- Newlands irrigation law, the
secretary Of the interior was confronted
with the necessity OF disbursing a fund
which now aggregates upwards Of 80, Co.,
600, and which for some time, will stead
lily increase, and OF establishing Herewith
a federal system Of irrigation In regions
whose combined areas aggregate 600, 900,
600 acres. Furthermore, under the provis
ions Of the law, annual reports must be
made to congress showing the progress
made. Referring to the herculean pro-
portions of the task imposed on him, Sec
retary Hitchcock recently remarked that,
were 1t not for the vast amount Of hydro
graphic data which he knew to be In the
possession Of the geological survey, he
would resign from the cabinet rather than
undertake to direct a project Of such vast
extent.
Immediately the law was signed by the
president, who takes the liveliest interest
In the execution of it's provisions, Mr..
Hitchcock sent for Frederick N. Newell,
chief Of the photographic division, and,
acting on his advice, issued an order with
drawing from settlement nine tracts OF
land which, for convenience, are known
as projects" These projects are located
in the vicinity Of st. Mary's river in Mon
tana, of the Gunnison In Colorado, the
Salt and San Carlos rivers In Arizona,
the Truckee and Carson rivers In Nevada,
the Colorado river In California, the South
Platt In Colorado, the Grand In Utah and
the Big Horn in Wyoming. Referring to
the extent of the land withdrawn from
settlement, Secretary Hitchcock says !:
Selections have been made In advance
In a somewhat liberal manner In order to
allow the consideration Of alternative pro-
jects or provide for unforeseen contingen-
cies. 1t is the expectation to put survey
ing parties Immediately in the field, and
as soon as possible to restore to entry the
lands not needed" Surveying parties are
now working on the st. Mary's and Gun
nison projects, and 1t is hoped to examine
gone west to confer with his engineers in
the field, and with those private and state
engineers In connection with whom he
has heretofore worked. On his return II
is anticipated that the secretary will be
able to make q definite selection of the
projects which will be first developed
and to announce the approximate location
Of the reservoirs to be constructed.
Neither the secretary nor Mr.. Newell
believes that 1t will be possible to com.
plete the irrigation Of any tract in less
than three years, but after that time re-
suits will be attained rapidly, and 1t Ii
estimated that during the next half cen
tury what Is now arid land will be re
claimed at an average rate of 1000, ,00l
acres per year, which rate, however, will
not keep pace with the estimated increas'
In the population of the country.
With the deliverance OF the last lette
Of Secretary Root to the Vatican, and tn,
receipt of its acknowledgement, the ne
gotiations which Gov. Taft has been con
Quoting at Rome have been PRACTICAL,
suspended. In accordance with the wisl
of the secretary of. war, they will be re
sumed at some future date In Manila
where Gov. Taft can devote portion o
his time to them without interference
with his other duties. SO far as the fact
have been revealed to the press, they d.
not seem TO substantiate any claim of de
cisive victory on either side. Thos
points, however, which have been deter
mined have been decided In accordanc
with the views of the administration, an
there is reason to hope that when the ne
gotiations are fully concluded they ma
be regarded as a victory for America
diplomacy.
With meeting between Secretary Ha
and Senior Concha, the Columbian min
lister, held on Thursday, the considerable
of the treaty with that country has bee
discontinued, pending The receipt by Mi
Concha of the approval by his govern
ment Of the steps already taken. Secrt
tary Hay has gone to his summer hom
In New Hampshire and has, with consic
erable diplomacy" made public th
statement that any oflce-seeker who TO
lows him there will be courteously n
ceived, but will forfeit all chance of al
pointment. Mr.. Hay also informed th
newspaper men that there was no hot,
nor other accommodation for strangers
the vicinity Of his home. Secretary Co
telyou, acting for the president, has al
cepted an invitation for the latter to pa
brief visit to Mr.. Hay while on his Ne
England trip.
| Secretary Cortelyou, who is now
Washington, has completed the itineral
for the presidents New England an
northwestern trips. Mr.. Roosevelt wi
leave Oyster Bay August 22d for Ne
England and will return on September 1s
On September 10th he will leave for Il
northwest, from which he will return
Washington on October 9Th. It is NJ
certain that he will be able to arrange K
q trip to thesouthwest as was anticipate
Il It Is significant Of the quality Of Il
alleged .'news'' sent out from Oyster Be
that the president has been obliged
deny rumor to the effect that his daug
, ter was engaged to Lieut.. Robert Sterlir
, Clark Of New York. In 80 doing, N
! Roosevelt states that Miss Roosevelt h'
! not even speaking acquaintance vii
the gentleman whose name has been
foolishly coupled with hers.
Superintendent Of the capitol, Ellio
II n - r.