The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-11-04

The general public has not had time
60 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. j.
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
ti0ns OF American citizens. Active opera
tons began as soon as the measure be-
came a 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
modus operandi Of this National Irriga-
tion Act for which President Roosevelt
= personally aud directly responsible.
Nationai Irrisation Explained.
A. previously stated, the funds for
this great work are derived from the
OosS - otSPuS0i Va PuOuS VA
IA the thirteen States and three terri
tories affected. and the work is con-
consequently confined to this area. There
10 now in the reclamation fund, some
ching over $27. 900 900. This FUND is in
creasing rapidly every month. When
It is stated that the proportion Of gov
srnment land in many Of these arid
States is from Is to 50 per cent. OF the
AN<sua AVA ~u&~ ~n~., :lHc ~ Anl
Of the enormous amount that is destined
20 accumulate in this irrigation fund as
the result Of the sale Of these govern
ment lands during the next fifty years.
AL OF this money goes into the reclaim
atdon fund. Whenever any portion of
Il 10 expended for the construction OF
reservoirs, dams or bitches. it 10 return
Cd 20 the government within . period OF
Ten years. in the form Of ten equal an
0ual installmeuts. from the actual oc-
cupants Of the land. 20 reclaimed by
irrigation.
Over 800 Enginsers at Work.
10 carry out the purpose Of this law,
IN efficient engineering corps has been
oeganixed, under civil service rules, and
from the men already in the field. Over
three hundred such engineers, together
with Z 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
tAe policy Of the governments to retain
0en Tor this work who are known to
poeeen high principles and undoubted in
tagrify. for Il 10 believed that the great
Hydraulic work can be planned and built
peopsrly only By meo OF the highest
Oh
n. a~sisetion ef Rsservoir eitss.
II sach Of the States and territories .
aeen1ral study - being made OF natural
eituAtions which offer opportunities fos
eecIaiming large bodies Of land. After
duo fprehminAry work. few Of such
projocts, sgy two or three. which are
$50 most promising. are selected for
0cRo careful survey and investigation.
From comparison Of results 20 OBJ
eoined, one Of these ID chosen By the
district engineer. When he u ready to
eopoFf upon the work, with recommend
otions. ths fActs and figures are sub
0itted "a the hoard Of engineers, who
$500 Rpou them. Sometimes additional
htognation ~ sought or the conclusions
~ smodihed.
Whon agreement d reached, the re-
oults are transmitted to the Secretary
~ he Interior with definite recommend
atio0s for immediate action and with full
esctS - 70 cost and benefits. Final
action 10 thus taken only after the most
Gt0cal examination OF existing condf-
dons and comparison OF these with other
pro5octs. In some Of these arid States
= GeperAl reconnaissance 10 still being
eaE1ted on, IN others plans and estimates
AAve been completed, and in Z number
~ distances work has actually begun on
large scale, along the line OF construct
1ng dams and reservoirs. ~Contracts~are
likely to be let within the next few
mon&As Tor several more, mammoth en-
tarpstses which will reclaim a few mil.
Nm acres Of land.
0rgaalzine communitiss for lrri@a.
tion.
UndGr the terms Of the law, the works
when built, are to be paid for in ten
annual installments and are ultimately
~ IS owned and operated BY the neo-
~ using the water. The problems be-
fore the rechmation service, therefore.
ar& not merely engineering in character
but IRE largely legal and pertain to the
4 VI - - AAAN6dtOiS lutO ASSOC
dat4ons, - that the management and
future control Of the works may be plac-
"a ii their hnnds. This is the most
difncut part ~ the work. It is hard to
bring together the discordant elements
Of 1 community. torn by conflicts over
waber, and weld them into q compact
oreanization, 1u~fhciently strong to main
tain che works buik by the government
3 and sdistributs the water eQuitably.
Mew .wetor u Conserved for Use.
Beyond ~ question, most OF the water
~ conserved for irrigation purposes
q como ron the storage Of food
"a RI means OF dams and reservoirs.
= suitable basins along these
7x76ln1eAn ~ found, they will be uti-
SSsacio1fns the outlets and catching
<Whick otherwise would dow
$1,000 slopes, Devastating the
711saS<k artificial RESERVOIRS can
NSsAvity canals Q - 70
q beocA lAaA adja-
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