Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-06-01
WORK OF RECLA-
JnaTIoN SERVICE
In New Mexico Detailed BY President
G. A. Richardson of irrigation Com.
mission

mission.
Roswell New Mexico. May 30 1904
Editor New Mexican;
- | have noticed the following clip
ping in the columns of the New MeXi,
can. which reads:
THE reclamation service of the
Geological Survey should remember
that New Mexico is a great country
in size and that there are several sec
tiOns of the Territory that should be
considered when it comes to an in
vestigation of sites for reservoir pur-
poses; so far the consideration ac-
corded the Territory by the reclama-
ton service seems to be somewhat
one-sided. What is the matter with
looking after the great Rio Grande
Valley in this respect"
The facts will hardly justify the
criticism made in this article. AS pres
ident of the irrigation commission, |
think it proper to put you right and to
advise you of just what the facts are
under the operations of the reclama-
ton service of the federal government
in this Territory The largest and
most completely equipped force of men
was put into the Rio Grande Valley
work at Elephant Butte and south. be-
| fore any substantial work had been
| done anywhere else in the Territory.
That force Of men has been for more
than year and is now at work in the
lower Rio Grande. An investigation is
also being made of the White Rock
Canon proposition 80 miles north of
Albuquerque in Rio Grande Valley. The
San Juan water shed has also been eX-
amined and a recommendation made
for survey. A party is now at work
on the reservoir proposition above Las
Vegas An investigation has also been
made of Red River the Cimarron and
the Canadian looking to the storage Of
water on the Canadian or some of its
tributaries above Tucumcari for the
purpose of irrigating, if possible. the
Tucumcari country. All of these inves-
|tigations have been brought about by
recommendations made to the depart
ment of the interior by the commission
of irrigation of New Mexico. That com.
mission has endeavored to bring to the
attention of the reclamation service OF
the federal government all sections OF
the Territory and to equalize and dis
tribute in the Territory as much as
possible the benefits to be derived
from what is known as the ''reclama-
ton act ....
am sure that more money has been
spent by the reclamation service of the
Geological Survey in the Rio Grande
Valley to date than in any other por-
tion or in any other valley in New Mex
leo, Other recommendations have been
made by the commission of irrigation
which have not yet been examined but |
will be a little later, by the reclama- |
ton service trust that this will give
you a better idea of the work than you
seem to have and to have indicated by
the enclosed clipping.
Very truly yours.
G. A. RICHARDSON,
President New Mexico Commission of
Irrigation.
= :. = :: :. !:
1904, and notice forwarded to the sue
cessful bidder as soon thereafter as
practical, accompanied with contract |
for said resurvey and bond |
which must be properly executed and |
returned to this office Immediately.
Only responsible. reliable and COM
petent surveyors will be employed,
who must execute their survey in per-
son and who will be required to give
bond in double the estimated liability
Of the contract 1t will be required
that the resurvey herein described be
and returns made to this Of
fee on or before September 80. 1904.
The length of the line to be re-estab-
lished is twelve miles.
The right is reserved by this office
to reject any and all bids, to waive
technical defects. if the interest OF
the government requires it, no con-
tracts will be binding on the part of
the United States until approved by
the commissioner of the general land
office.
The proposals received will be op
ened at the time and place above
stated, and bidders are invited to be
present at such meeting. Further in
formation will be furnished upon ap-
~; tr, thn 9