Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-07-07
Government Agent Fitch Here to
Investigate Question
WILL LEAVE FOR BOISE.
Congress Has Appropriated $4,000
900 for benefit of 10 states Utah
WIN &c, It's share OF Money.

c. II. Fitch Of the U, S. geological
survey, arrived yesterday from Colo
RADIO, and is a guest at the knutsford'
en- route to Boise for conference with
State Engineer Ross relative to local
irrigation projects, Mr.. Fitch said In
pleasant chat this morning, with a
News representative, that an err
roneous impression was being general
~ entertained by the western public,
relative to the operation OF the new
irrigation law, viz, that It was n case
Of the state that got there FIRST got the
cash and the service. This Is not so.
There is a general appropriation Of 49,
100000 to be expended for the benefit Of
l6 states, and In Colorado the idea was
prevalent that Wyoming was working
to grab everything In sight, and Colo
RADIO did not propose to be left No
state will get left; but according TO the
plan laid out by the interior depart
ment, the engineers viii survey and
examine such irrigation projects as APP
pear most feasible and most In inn
mediate demand, Irrespective Of alleged
prior claims Of any particular state.
There are three projects which have
been In hand for some time, and which
win be finished up first, and these are
the survey and examination Of the
proposed irrigation tunnel connecting
the San Carlos dam In Arizona, and the
st. Mary's river project In Gunni-
son river and the Uncompahgre valley
IN western Colorado,
The Gunnson valley Is partly irrl.
gated already, but there are some 49,
600 acres belonging to private parties
and about 100000 acres OF government
land yet to he brought under water
and water supply for the remainder is
not always sufficient. The state has
$4,000 towards the con.
struotiOn Of the four-mile tunnel
through the mountain, but the work
will cost over half million. Mr. Fitch
had been informed that the tunnelers
We're already 600 feet In the mountain
He considers the scheme feasible as fan
as the present progress of examination
is any indications but as 70 the Arizona
and Montana propositions, II may turn
out that they are not practical and
may have TO be abandoned.
The attention Of Mr., Fitch was called
to the proposed Grand canal from the
Grand river above Grand Junction
across the foot Of the Book Cllffs west
to Green River station of the Rio
Grande road. He said he had had con-
with the state engineers Of
both Colorado and Utah relative TO this
and on the previous day had
occupied box" on the rear Pullman
platform to study the country proposed
to be irrigated by this canal Mr.. Fitch
was convinced the country needed irri-
cation badly enough. but was not pre-
pared 10 say off-hand whether the pro-
posed canal would be feasible until he
lad run his lines over the route.
II examination showed the scheme
perfectly feasible the benefits to be
derived would be very great, but the
Engineer would not venture TO estimate
he acreage TO be brought under the
Itch, as estimates from birds eye
Jews are pretty apt to vary widely
rom subsequent asoertained facts. But
he matter is progressing, the states OF
and Utah asked the govern
nent to make the surveys necessary TO
Iscertain the practicability Of the
cheme. and thorough survey Will be
made. probably this fall
he photographic survey, OF which
lr. Fitch Is a very valuable and COM
,etent member, expects to do consid-
rable work in Utah at no distant date,
Ilthough until the arrival Of Chief
photographer Newell the detailed
haracter Of the work can not be given.
SUIT II may be stated that II Will in
olive a careful and thorough examina-
ion Of the entire watershed Of the
Bear river with particular reference TO
sites, and will prove of in
alculable benefit to the state. Mr..
fitch leaves tonight for Boise where |
le will look over proposed reservoir |
ties on the Boise river watersheds; |
nd expects 10 return to Salt Lake |
bout the first Of the month.
Going 10 saltair tonight2