The Springfield herald., 1904-11-04

Inc general pubic mas NOT nnu time
to become familiar with the workings
of the reclamation service under the
National Irrigation law, which passed
Congress. June 18th, 1902, through the
direct personal influence of President
Roosevelt.
As previously stated in these columns,
this Is one of the most important meas
ures that has ever been enacted by
Congress. Perhaps no one now living
can fully appreciate its far-reaching
benefcent effect upon the domestic, So
cial and political lives of future genera
tions OF American citizens. Active opera
tons began as soon as the measure be-
came n law; an organized body of gov
eminent engineers was already in the
Western field connected with the geo
logical and Typographical surveys. 1t
will be of interest to voters to know.
before election day, something of the
nrodlfs operandi of this National lrrisa-
tion Act for which President Roosevelt
is personally and directly responsible.
National Irrigation Explained.
As previously stated. the funds for
this great work are derived from the
sale or disposal of public lands located
in the thirteen States and three terri
tories affected, and the work is con-
consequently confined to this area. There
is now in the reclamation fund, some
thing over $27.OO0.OOO. This fund is in
creasing rapidly every month. When
1t is stated that the proportion of gov
ernrnenf land In many of these arid
States is from 75 to 05 per cent of the
entire area, some vague idea may be had
of the enormous amount that is destined
to accumulate in this irrigation fund as
the result of the sale of these govern
1nent lands during the next fifty years.
All of this money goes into the reclaim
alton fund. Whenever any portion OF
it is expended for the construction of
reservoirs. dams or bitches. it is return
ed to the government within a period of
ten years. in the form of ten equal an
nual installments, from the actual oc-
cupants of the land, so reclaimed by
Irrigation.
Over 800 Engineers at Work.
To carry out the purpose of this law,
an efficient engineering corps has been
organized. under civil service rules, and
from the men alrendy in tine field. Over
three hundred such engineers, together
with a large number of helpers, are al
ready in the field. From time to time,
other men are being added, especially
from the graduates of professional
schools throughout the country. 1t is
the policy of the governments to retain
men for this work who are known to
possess high principles and undoubted in
tegrity. for 1t is believed that the great
hydraulic work can be planned and built
properly only by men of the highest
type.
Selection of Re.ervoir Sites.
In each of the States and territories a
general study is being made of natural
situations which offer opportunities for
recaining large bodies of land. After
due preliminary work. a few of such
projects, say two or three which are
the most promising. are selected for
more careful survey and investigation.
From comparison of results so OBJ
tuined. one of these is chosen by the
district engineer. When he is ready to
report upon the work. with recommend
stions, the facts and figures are sub
mitted to the board of engineers who
pass upon them. Sometimes additional
information is sought or the conclusions
are modified.
When agreement is reached. the re-
suits are transmitted to the Secretary
of the lnterior with definite recommend
htions for immediate action and with full
facts as to cost and benefits. Final
action is thus taken only after the most
critical examination OF existing condi-
tions and comparison of these with other
projects. In some or these arid States
a general reconnaissance is still being
carried on. in others plans and estimates
have been completed. and in n numper
OF instances work has actually begun on
a large scale, along the line of construct
ing dams and reservoirs. Contracts are
likely to be let within the next few
months for several more. mammoth en-
terprises which will reclaim a few mil
lion acres of land.
Organizing communitics for 1rriEn-
tion.
Under the terms OF li.,. law the works
when built are to be paid for in ten
annual installments aud are ultimately
to be owned and operated by the pco-
pie using the water. The problems be-
fore the reclamation service, therefore,
are not merely engineering in character,
but are largely legal and pertain to the
organization OF the irrigators into asso-
Citations, so that the mana cement and
future control of the works may be plac-
ed in their hands. This is the most
dinicult part of the work. 1t is hard to
bring together the discordant elements
"t community. torn by conflicts over
water. and wehl them into a compact
organization, sufficiently strong to main
tain the works built by the government
ana distribute the water equitably.
How Water 1. Conserved for Use.
Beyond all question, most of the water
10 be conserved for irrigation purposes
will come from the storage of food
waters by means of dams and reservoirs
Wherever suitable basins, along these
streams can he found. they will be uti-
iized by closing the outlets and catching
the waters which otherwise would flow
down the steep slopes. devastating the
lvwands.
Many of these artificial reservoirs can
be supplied by gravity canals 50 as to
cover large bodies OF bench land adja
A New Sunshine Recorder.