The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1904-03-15
U. S. Reclamation Work.
&C. J. Blanchard, u. S. G.. S.

proceeds from the disposal of public
lands in the thirteen western states
and three territories. The fund thus
created can be used for the survey,
examination and construction OF
works for the reclamation of arid land.
The amount in the treasury is now
estimated to be about $15,000,000.
This is to be expended by the secre-
tary of the interior, and upon him is
placed the entire responsibility of ini-
tiating and carrying forward the great
work of reclaiming the arid lands and
making possible their settlement.
The law is very general in it's terms,
and much is left to executive discre-
ton, so that, with good administra-
ton, great results should follow. Ger
tain important safeguards are provid-
ed by which the settlement in small
tracts will be insured, and the refund
ing to the treasury of the amount OF
the investment, SO that the money can
be used over and over again as re-
volving fund. 1t is to be noted that
the money comes originally from the
west, is invested there, and the
amount of the investment secured for
return to the government, so that tax
payers of the east do not, directly or
indirectly, contribute to the develop
ment of the west, except in so far as
they may have, in the past, contribut-
ed to the acquisition of the west as
whole.
In order to carry into effect the
terms of the law, the secretary of the
interior has organized an engineering
force known as the reclamation serv-
ice. For administrative purposes this
has been built up as a portion of the
photographic branch of the geological
survey, the men in this division OF the
survey having spent most of their lives
in the investigation of problems OF
water supply and of reclamation of
the soil. To these men, originally
forming the photographic division,
have been added, from time to time,
other competent engineers, these being
obtained through competitive civil SER
vice examination. Most of these men
are natives or citizens of the west,
and have had experience in construc-
ton or management of irrigation
works.
AS necessity arises, other men are
added to the organization, eXamina-
ClOuS DCluS hClu oC oLol ihISl 'oAo' oiAN
a large register of eligibles establish
ed. 1t is the desire and intention to
obtain the best men available for such
work, and preserve high standard OF
proficiency by advancing men from
one grade to another as they demon
strate ability.
The photographer in charge of the
photographic branch has been desig-
mated as chief engineer of the reclaim
alton service. He is assisted by a
staff of consulting and supervising en-
gineers and by specialists in various
lines, such as electrical development,
cement, etc. The work in the field is
divided into districts, each in charge
of an experienced engineer, who re-
ports directly to the chief engineer. AS
a rule, each state or territory is con-
sidered as a district, although the the
oretical basis is one of drainage basins.
In some states there are two or more
districts, according to the prominent
river systems.
The consulting engineers are elderly
men of broad experience in hydraulic
work. The district engineers are
mostly men of middle age, who have
shown considerable executive ability,
as we'll as engineering skill. The