The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-29
From q STAFF Correspondent.

From Staff Correspondent.
Sheridan. Wyo., Sept. 20. In response
to my suggestion Professor w. H. New
ell chief Of the United States reclama-
ton service, dictated the following highly
interesting and instructive account Of the
federal irrigation undertaking, up to date:
The United States reclamation SERVICE
under the law of June IT, 1902, has been
organized for the purpose Of making sur
veys and examinations, and constructing
irrigation works for the reclamation Of
the arid lands Of the west. The funds
are derived from the disposal of public
lands in thirteen states and three territori-
tories and the work Is confined to these.
There Is now available upwards Of $16,-l
100000, and this amount is being in
creased from day to day.
In order to carry out the purpose of
the law, an engineering corps has been
organized, under civil service rules, each
man being selected thru competitive ex-
animation. These examinations have
been based largely on experience in ac-
tual planning and construction of irriga-
ton works About ESQ experienced men
have thus obtained, together with some
younger men, with good technical edu-
cation From time to time other men are
being added, especially from the gradu-
ates Of professional schools. The attempt
is being made to obtain force Of the
most competent men of high principle
and undoubted integrity, as it is believed
that the great hydraulic works can be
planned and built only by men of the
highest type.
In each Of the states and territories a
general study is being made Of oppor-
tun1ties for reclamation, and two or
three projects, especially noteworthy, are
selected for careful survey. From COM
par1son OF results, one Of these Is chosen
by the district engineer. When he is
ready to report upon the work, with rec
concentrations, the facts and figures are
submitted to a board of engineers, who
pass upon these. Sometimes additional
information is sought, or the conclusions
are modified When agreement is
reached, the results are transmitted to
the secretary Of the interior with definite
recommendations. for immediate action,
and with full facts as to cost and bene-
TITS. Final action is thus taken only
after the most critical examination of
existing conditions, and comparison of
these with other projects
In some of the states general recon
Nuisance is still being carried on; in
Others plans and estimates, have been
completed, and In one case, In Nevada,
actual construction has begun. 1t Is hoped
that contracts will soon be let for work
in several other states
Under the terms Of the law the works.
when built, are to be paid for in ten an
nual installments, and are ultimately to
be owned and operated by the people using
the water. The problem before the recla-
nation service are thus not merely engi-
neering IN character, but also largely
legal and pertaining to the organization
OF the irrigators into associations, such
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their hands. This is, perhaps, the most
difficult part Of the work, namely, to bring
together the discordant elements of a
community, torn by conflicts over water,
and weld these into a compact organiza-
ton sufficiently strong to maintain the
works built by the government and distrib-
ute the water equitably.
Reclamation will come about most large
ly thru the storage of flood waters which
now run to waste in the spring. Wher-
ever suitable basins can be found, these
will be utilized by closing the outlets and
catching the waters which otherwise
would flow down the steep slopes, devas-.
tating the lowlands. Many Of these stored
waters can be brought out by gravity
canals to cover the lands adjacent to the
rivers. Much Of the better land how
ever, lies at attitudes too high to be thus
reached, and these lands, If irrigated at
all, must be supplied by some form of
pumping device, or from artesian sources.
AS the water flows down the steep river
channels, it can occasionally be diverted
and power developed, the water being used
later for irrigation. This power, carried
out by electrical transmission, can be used
to pump water to the lands somewhat
above the ordinary canals.
1t is one Of the engineering problems of
the reclamation service to develop all of
the power possible, and to utilize this
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Of pumping. Another problem is that Of
discovering the quantity and quality Of
the underground waters, and devising
means by which these may be brought to
the surface, if not too saline, for agri-
cultural purposes. Thus the work OF the
engineers Is not merely hydraulic in char
acter; it involves mechanical and electrical
construction, and knowledge of geo.
logical principles which govern the occur
renee Of water under ground.
The easily available waters of the arid
region have already been appropriated and
put to use by private enterprise, leaving
for the government only the LARGE diff
cult or involved projects. 1t Is not pos
sible anywhere to find ideal conditions
and, altho great results can be accom-
plished, these will be achieved only after
great skill and tact has been brought to
bear. Criticism has and will be made
because Of the slow progress in these great
works; but when it is remembered that
nearly all Of these undertakings involve
the application, or trial, Of new methods
and devices, and the dealing with consid-
cradle numbers Of persons, 1t will be seen
that the work requires not merely skill,
but time.
| In the execution Of the works, it is nee
essary to utilize lands, rights Of way or
privileges owned by individuals Most Of
these can be acquired by purchase; others
must be condemned by process OF law. It
is not desirable to begin condemnation
proceedings until all possible efforts have
been exhausted to bring about fair and
MR.. WHISTL
| The Spectator.
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