The Holly chieftain., 1902-11-28
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR REVIEWS THE RECLAMATION ACT

I alton, one which tests not merely book
learning. but practical experience and
| ability in accomplishing results. From
1 time 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 quali-
/, 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 poltti-
cal divisions of the United States.
While it fs 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-
tunities for completing works Of re-
clamation have been discovered by the
engineers Of the division Of hydro
graphy- Out of the wealth Of
localities offering favorable OPP
| lect one or another place with ref
erence to the wishes of the people.
Other things being equal. the attempt
of the business men, commercial or
| CARNATIONS, or public officials who
have given most thought to the sub
ject. But in the preliminary surveys
and designs the considerations out
weighing all others are the practical
bility of reclaiming the largest area
of good land. of dividing this into the
greatest number of homesteads upon
| which families can prosper, and OF ul-
| timately returning to the reclamation
| fund the cost of the works. Neither
| sentimental theory nor political ex-
pediency has had any influence in out
lining the work to be performed un-
| der the reclamation law. With the
corps of men selected for experience, 1t
is hoped to secure ultimately the con-
fdence and appreciation OF the people
of the entire country and to justify the
wisdom of the advocates of national
construction OF irrigation works.
Immediately upon the passage of
the law, and as soon as few of these
larger matters had been determined,
various tracts of land were temporar-
| lily withdrawn for examination and
survey. A description of these lands
and of the operations Will be transmit
ted TO Congress in accordance with the
law at an early date, showing all of
the details of the work now in hand.
There has been no attempt made to
lay out in advance rules and regula-
tions, but 1t has been considered wise
to start the work where the difficult
ties from an engineering and legal
standpoint appear to be least Each
obstacle is to be met as 1t arises. Many
well-intentioned persons have raised
| hyyNp hot Il
which would seem to indicate the i'm
possibility of accomplishing results un-
der the existing law, but, while there
can be no question that difficulties will
be encountered, there is no doubt of
ultimate success. In particular 1t has
been urged that the state laws should
be revised. While it will undoubtedly
be necessary for the persons interest
ed to secure improvements in local
laws and customs. yet there are many
places where progress can be made
without involving radical changes 1t
seems the part Of wisdom to continue
where progress is possible with least
friction, and not attempt to anticipate
remote contingencies.
| The question most frequently asked
Is, When will construction begin?
There is desire on the part of all in
terested to see something actually ac-
complished. The friends Of the move
ment wish to demonstrate that the law
Is reality and not a theory. The
people to be benefited through in
creased land values are anxious to see
this increase take place at once; but,
although the clamor for immediate
work Is insistent. 1t comes from a COM
paratively few persons. The great body
OF the people are anxious that the
work shall be done right and that the
public funds shall be used to the great
est possible advantage, even though
some delay may ensue
In addition to the mere work of as
certaining facts, such a. costs and
benefits. there is another class of op-
erations which is Of almost equal i'm
portance. The people who already
have. or think they have, vested rights
In water. or who may be benefited by
the operation of the law, must, in
many cases. concede some Of these
rights or show their good by uniting
with the officers Of the government
in making possible some Of the more
important enterprises
The process of education along this
line Is one which must take place
slowly At first many people have the
Impression that the Department OF the
Interior Is coming into the country to
spend money recklessly and give away
land. It is a repetition Of the old
story Of the days following the Civil
nyhA mn NJ Gus o{&