The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-05-27
ENGINEER F. H. NEWELL
TO CONGRESSMAN JONES
Government Irrigation Prospects in
This Vicinity Do Not Appear
Flattering.

Nothing definite having been heard
from the reclamation department at
Washington City concerning some ff the
projects Engineer F. H. Newell looked
into while here for that purpose several
months ago, Congressman Jones has
made urgent inquiry of the department
and is in receipt of the following letter
from Engineer Newell:
"WAsHINGToN, d. c.. May 20 Hon.
w. L. Jones North Yakima, Wash
Dear Sir: Your clerk has been in to see
me several times regarding progress Of
work in the state of Washington.
have told him frankly that it is impos-
sible for us to give out the contents of
the reports and letters OF our assistants,
as the instructions are to avoid pub
licity, to proceed rapidly and effectively
and to keep me informed OF progress.
The law provides that'an annual report
shall be made to congress, but mean
while experience has shown that it is
highly disadvantageous to give out the
plans of operations, since this arouses
the speculative instinct of our people
and at once all possible difficulties are
interposed to progress. If, for example,
we let it be known that certain project
is in contemplation, instantly every man
owning a water right or thinking that
he has valid filings upon land, freshens
these up and the project becomes i'm
possible. In short, we must follow the
practice of all business men, viz. pro-
coed cautiously and quietly and make
our plans without attracting attention
until matters are in a condition where
definite statements can be made.
"For the above reason have told your
clerk that reports could only be had
through the secretary of the interior
Another reason, which is more of per-
sonal nature, is that the operations of
the engineers in the field and this office
are greatly hampered by the enormous
inconsequential correspondence which
follows every public announcement of
plans and operations. Hundreds of men
write letters asking for jobs or for spec
ial favors, delaying and distracting the
actual work in spite of the most COM
plete system OF correspondence we can
devise.
Gas regards work in the vicinity of
North Yakima, Mr.. Theron A. Noble has
gone over the ground and has consulted
regarding the conditions with Mr.. Ar
thur p. Davis, our principal engineer in
the field. From the result of the COM
.munications received from them, judge
that it will not be expedient to take up
work on Yakima river at present, at
least. Whether this is done ultimately
or not will depend upon further consid-
erations under orders of the secretary.
LANDS have been temporarily with
drawn pending survey in the Okanogan
country, and field parties equipped to
work in various parts of the state.
Each man in responsible charge has
been instructed, as above stated, to
avoid publicity, being warned that he is
employed to obtain information for the
guidance of the secretary of the inter-
Tor.
81 am writing this somewhat fully to
you as | am not sure whether your sec
rotary obtained the correct impression as
to my attitude in the matter. l am
leaving for the west, to meet various dis
trict and consulting engineers, to take up
the consideration of results already OBJ
tanned and preparation OF future plans.
"Yours very truly,
"F. Ii. NEWELL,
"Chief Engineer"