The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-05-10
IRRIGATION BUREAUS PLANS RE-
eARDlNe THIS STATE.
PLACE RESIDENT ENGINEER
Man in Charge of Work to Be Sta
toned at HeIena-constructio
Will Begin Soon.

Washington, D. c., May 4, 1904
Today Representative Dixon depart
ed for home after a most arduous
tana in the house of representatives.
Mr. Dixon, although in good health,
shows the effects of the wear and
tear of laborious session of congress.
He made friends in all directions and
is justly regarded as one OF the most
promising of all the young members
of the house. The old ones look to
him for rapid and substantial develop
ment of great power and efficiency in
legislative work. Before his depar-
ture Mr.. Dixon had long conference
with ex-senator Carter, who arrived in
the city this morning. By arrange
ment between them Mr.. Carter took
up the question of extending the work
of reclaiming the arid lands through
out Montana with the president, who
is displaying personal interest ON the
subject The president approves the
proposal to place resident engl-
neer in charge of the work in Mon
tana, who will probably be located at
Helena, where he can have access to
the plats and files of the surveyor
generals office. The president at
once called in Doctor Walcott of the
geological survey, who has general
charge of the irrigation movement,
and made known to him his desire to
have the reclamation enterprise press
ed with vigor in Montana and adjoin-
ing states. Director Walcott will
henceforth give the matter his per-
onal attention.
| Work Planned for Montana.
Some time ago the project for the
conveyance of the waters of the Mad1-
son river through portions of Madi-
son, Jefferson and Broadwater coun-
ties into the Prickly Pear valley at
Helena was not considered with favor,
but now surveyors will be promptly
put in the field to ascertain the feast
bility of the proposed canal, and it 1T
| is found practicable, construction will
be commenced and pushed forward to
completion. Surveys are to be made
looking to the impounding OF the watt
ers in Lake Basin, north OF Billings.
Construction is to begin at an early
date ON the canal extending from
point near Glendive northWard to re-
claim the Yellowstone bottom lands
between that place and Fort Buford.
Construction is also to be commenced
this spring on the Milk river project.
| Surveys are to be made west OF the
main range of the mountains. The
first work in this direction will be on
the east side of the Bitter Root river.
I The engineer to be placed in charge
OF the work in Montana will be en-
powered to employ local engineers
where necessary to collect needful
data as expeditiously as practicable.
The president comedies with the
view that no time is to be lost in
reclaiming lands upon which homes
may be built and the country thereby
settled.
Projects are in view in both Beaver
head and Madison counties, and all
things considered, this will prove a
season of activity and great promise
for Montana in the way OF moving to-
wards the reclamation OF It's vast
bodies of arid land. Mr.. Carter came
here expressly from ST. Louis to con.
fer with Mr.. Dixon and the president
and Doctor Walcott on this subject.
Tne money is available for surveys
and construction, and Montana is in
line to receive the liberal snare OF at
tention her vast area OF fertile lands
merits.
The unavoidable absence of Sena.
tor Clark ana the illness of Senator
Gibson doubled the work of Represen-
tative Dixon in getting the Indian
bills not only through the house, but
also through the senate. In this work
Mr. Dixon displayed high qualities as
a diplomat. He secured support on
both sides of the senate chamber with
rare skill, and his attendance in that
body was constant and his efforts
!, tireless.
. In securing the passage OF the Crow
bill and the Flathead bill through
this congress, Mr. Dixon recorded a
triumph in the interests OF the peo-
pie of Montana which will prove OF
great and enduring benefit.
Wanted-To Buy l04-S