The Washington times., 1904-01-31
EXPERTS CONFER
ON IRRIGATION
Engineers of Field Work
Are in Washington.
CONSULTATION WITH CHIEF
Studying Scientific Methods OF Con-
struction and Plans for
Storage Of Water.

The first general conference or emf
neers engaged in the reclamation u
Western lands. since the i-rigaticn
measure was enacted In 1902. is now be-
ing held in Washington. On its DELHI
erations will largely depend in what
way many millions Of dollars are 10
be expended in irrigation and reclama-
ton projects in the far West.
The meetings are being held in the Of
fees Of the United States Geological Sur
vey. The principal purpose is 10 az
ford opportunity TO present for consiG-
Grafton to Chief Engineer Newell ard his
board of supervising and consulting en-
gineers detailed plans for reclamation
works. These plans are the results OF
last summers work in the field The
plans recommended b. the engineers 1rs
being gone over thoroughly. and ~zcA
as are deemed feasible VIII be approve.
They Will then be presented 10 Secretary
Hitchcock for final approval. and ~
his approval Of the plans work af coz
structIon viii be begun as soon as Ins
weather permits.
Study of Methods.
While in conference the engineers are
also discussing details and methUd Il
once and field WORK and scientific me.h-
DDS Of construction, tests Ter cement
manufacturing. different methods OF
stream measurement plans Tor storage
Of water, ard the ike.
The Importance Of the conference can
be better appreciated when 1t Is recalled
that the reclamation fund mas nov
reached Sle.0Oo0Oo 10 be expended Ia
thirteen States and three Territories in
works for the reclamation Of the desert
areas. Through the sale OF lands ard
the means prescribed by the irrigation
act this fund will soon reach 2 total OF
about 100000.
In Nevada and Arizona actual con-
struction has already begun A large
force is at work on the Truekee River
project in Nevada and on the great Ton
to dam in Arizona. This dam wiz be
one OF the most remarkable in the world
and viii be 24S feet high. Projects have
also been determined upon in New Mex
leo. Montana. and Colorado
Urging New Plans.
The meeting of er gineers here is
bringing to the city delegations from
various Western points for the STsIrpose
OF urging big irrigation projects or the
conference. Yesterday Senator SPOot
brought in several Utah citizens TO
plead for irrigation improvements. and
delegations from other States VIII ar
rive this week. The demand for projects
far exceeds the proportions Of the fr nd
The conference will not be able - COM
pIete its recommendations TO Secretary
Hitchcock for week or ten days.
Elwood Mead. chief OF the irrigation
division OF the Department Of AEricul-
ture. addressed the engineers yesterday
on the plans OF his work The follow
ing supervising. consulting. and district
engineers and photographic are at the
meeting:
A P. Davis. supervising engineer in
charge of the construction OF the great
Tonic dam in Arizona: J. 3. LippincOtt.
supervising engineer in charge OF the
reclamat ton work in California; ~. y.
Savage and ]. II. Quinton, construction
engineers In general work; A. = Eel
lows. district engineer in charEc Of the
Gunnison tunnel project in Colorado;
L H. Taylor, in charge OF the Truckee
projec, in Nevada; C c. Babo. district
engineer in charge Of the Mix River
project in Montana; G II Fitch and
F. K. Weymouth, district engineers IN
charge OF North and South Dakota,
J. T. Whistler. district engineer in
charge of Oregon. and J. Ahearu. in
charge OF Wyoming
The photographers include NJ c. Hin
derlider. E johnson. ". c. Grover. z. G.
Paul. and e c Murphy Mr. Murphy
is photographic inspector for the United
States