The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1902-08-19
F. \. NEWELL MEETS
CITIZENS OF YAKIMA
The Chief Engineer of the Recently
Created Bureau for Reclamation of
Arid Lands Stops Off a Day.


new move to reclaim all arid lands, build
storage reservoirs and construct high
line canals, were called upon at the
! instigation of the Commercial club BY
matters of vital import to the county
were taken up and discussed. Mr..
Newell stated that about 100000 at
the'present time had been apportioned
to this state for the purpose of beginning
Oh feasible projects, and that it meant
great prosperity for the Yakima valley,
as of course she would get her share of
the amount.
a committee was appointed by Mr.
Englehart, president of the Commercial
club, to investigate all schemes and
propositions that the people of this
county might wish to present, and turn
over their report to this bureau. The
committee is composed Of the following
prominent business men OF the city
and surrounding country: Congressman
W. l.. Jones, A. j. Splawn, II. B. Scud-
der, d. f. Lesh, George Donald, Wallace
Wiley and W. N. Granger. Mr.. Newell
thinks the people of this valley and
surrounding country have great pros
poets ahead of them, and any feasible
project that will be sure of returning to
the government within ten years the
cost of construction will very likely be
put through. Mr.. Newell was inter-
viewed by THE HERALD reporter. He
said, among other things 1.-The work
is one that will require much delibera-
ton, and it will be necessary to make
sure of every step as we proceed. There
is plenty Of time to do all we have
planned so far"
When do you think the bureau will
be in position to make decisive move
in these matters?
"When we have sufficient information
relating to all sections and the most
practicable projects awaiting execution,
We will be placed in a position to make
decisive move. Many parties are now
out making Investigations and collecting
data to be used by the bureau
What is your opinion OF the new irr-
CATION law?
AS it now stands it is the most i'm
portant act which has been passed by
congress in many years. The far-sighted
policy which led to its passage has made
it marvel in legislation, and unques-
tionably is the beginning of an epoch of
development in this western country.
There are schemes and projects" con-
tinued Mr.. Newell, (Which are too large
and adventurous for private capital to
undertake, but our government, with its
money and prestige, is in position to
successfully operate the most difficult of
undertakings, and from the fact that the
federal authorities are backing the
schemes, will prove drawing card to
the settlers. This whole western coun-
try needs irrigation, needs reservoirs
and nighttime canals. The water, which
in the spring runs off and goes to waste,
should be damned up in storage reser-
voirs and utilized later in the summer.
1t is our intention to look into PROPOSE
tons of this kind, and in all feasible
instances put them through"
How long have you been engaged in
work of this kind, Mr.. Newell.
Personally, have been engaged in
work pertaining to irrigation since 1888.
have prepared many reports and car
ried on investigations in all parts OF the
| United States. think it very probable
that in time the bureau will enlarge and
become one of the departments of the
government.
! ''In the state of Washington, perhaps
the most important project is the con-
struction of a storage reservoir at the
headwaters OF the Yakima river. and
the building of q great system of canals
to water several hundred thousand acres
of land under such reservoir. 1t will
be necessary to construct the canals in
order to repay the cost of the storage
reservoir. In the Big Bend country the
securing OF water by means of artesian
and deep wells is another work which
we hope to accomplish.
"My investigations here are neces-
sarily brief, as am on hurried trip,