The state herald., 1902-11-28

| taking the preliminary steps, and es-
pecially in creating precedents. which,
If not carefully considered, may result
in injury to the country.
1t has been considered wise at the
outset not to create a separate bureau
| with new officers and untried regula-
tions, but to permit the steady growth
and extension of the work which may
be considered as having initiated in
1888 under Major j. w. Powell. the
former director of the geological survey.
Great credit s..ouiu be assigned to this
far-seeing ana fearless scientist. who
| through his mature life urged in public
and before Congress the Importance of
the national work of reclamation, The
work which was begun under his di-
rection fourteen years ago after pass
ing through many vicissitudes, has, by
a process of evolution, become the hy-
geographic investigation of the United
States The engineers starting as
young men in the work have gained
broad education and experience par
ticularly in western or arid lands, and
many of them, between intervals of
service for the government, have been
concerned in the planning and con-
vi IllSdlioh Noiho iohiht,
therefore. this body of men as nu-
cleus, and with the guidance of the
weil-tested rules and regulations of
the geological survey, an engineering
corps has been formed, designated the
reclamation service, this being, for ad-
ministrative purposes, branch. .of the
geological survey.
The data already at hand concerning
4, 90 l,I,I tl, l.,
cation of reservoir sites. and the alti-
tude and area of catchment basins,
have proved invaluable in beginning
the work of reclamation. These facts
have been collected by the men now
constituting the reclamation service,
are familiar to them, and enable prac-
tical work to be begun at once, leading
up to the construction of definite plans
and specifications for reservoirs and
main line canals.
Although there Is thus available a
great mass of information concerning
the arid lands and the opportunities of
reclaiming these, yet when II comes to
definitely recommending any project
great caution must be exercised, and
consequent delay, especially with the
first works. Few persons appreciate the
difficulties inseparably connected with
successful hydraulic construction.
The construction of water storage
irrigation works of magnitude is in
many respects still matter of expert
ment. In nearly every part of the
country where large works have been
completed they have offered to their
builders series of surprises. Even
though carefully planned, one part or
another has had to be replaced or
changed. In government works such
as those contemplated by the reclama-
tion act, 1t is Of prime importance that
all of the designs should be considered
with unusual care, so that errors may
be avoided and the confidence of the
people in the finished work be fully
justified.
The intense public interest in the
carrying out of the irrigation law re-
suits in a proper desire to see some
thing accomplished as soon as possi-
BILE. This is voiced bw the current ex-
preston that the people wish to see
the water running over the dams be-
fore another season passes. There is
no one more desirous than the secre-
tary of the interior and his assistants
OF bringing about such condition. but
II is far more important that the wa
ter should be running over well-con-
structed works for an indefinite num-
Der OF years than through the ruins OF
a single failure.
To plan and supervise the building
of the works the best engineering tai
ent OF the country should be secured.
Such men cannot easily be had. Their
garN5iHaQ N IA a ~ 40 Iona
and their compensation is notably
high. On the other hand. there is
great body OF unemployed persons.
who are ambitious to take up the
work. and who are using every effort
to get connected with 1t. To sift out
from the body OF applicants those who
may have proper education and qualif-
cations. and especially to attract the
men Of known experience and ability.
Is no easy task. At the outset II has
been determined TO enforce strictly the
civil service rules. and to appoint engi
neers and assistants to the various po-
sitions only after competitive examin-
alton. one which tests not merely book
learning. but practical experience and
ability hi accomplishing results. From
dime to time new men certified by the
civil service commission have been ap-
pointed In the reclamation service. and
this engineering corps Is growing as
rapidly as prudence will permit. The
best physical. mental and moral quail
ties are NEEDED In the men who design
and build such structures.
The thirteen states and three terri
tories within which reclamation work
can be carried on embrace. with the
exception of Texas. the largest politi-
cal divisions OF the United States.
While II is not possible for any man TO
know the topography and photography
Of all Of these sixteen states and terri
tories. yet In a general way the oppor-
tunitles for completing works OF re-
clnmation have been discovered by the
engineers OF the division OF hydro
graphy. Out Of the wealth OF
localities Offering favorable OPP
por,unitics II IN possible TO &C.
lect one or another place with ref
erence to the wishes OF the people.
Other things being equal. the attempt
has been made to consult the desires
OF the business men. commercial or
Rnnizations. or public officials who
have given most thought Ia the sub
Ject but In the preliminary surveys
and designs the considerations out
weighing all others are the practical
bllity Of reclaiming the lnrges, area
OF good land. of dividing this into the
greatest number OF homesteads upon
which families can prosper and Of ul-
timately returning to tho reclamation
fund the cost OF the works. Neither