The Caldwell tribune., 1905-11-25
Facts About Reclamation.
Hon. Charles d. Walcott, Director
U. S. Geological Survey, Wash

Il
ington:
Dear Sir:--I have the honor to
acquaint you with certain facts
pertaining to the local manage
ment of the reclamation service in
Idaho, of which facts I feel sure
YOU have hitherto been kept in ig-
uorance. That such should be the
case, and that your attention
should not have been called to
these matters at an earlier date, is
not strange, in view of the great
scope covered by the reclamation
service. and the fact that matters
of local interest must necessarily
be entrusted to those holding sub
ordinate positions in the service.
1t is to be understood that what
have to say applies to local
state of affairs concerning the ser.
vice in Idaho. AS to the reclama-
ton service as a whole, considered
in connection with the great work
it is carrying on throughout the
western states, I want to say that
I am in hearty accord and sym.
pathy with the movement. But
there are conditions existing here
in Idaho for which feel certain
you will demand an accounting
when once your attention is called
to them, to the end that the evils
growing out of these conditions
may be summarily abated.
10 your letter, under date of De-
cember %, 1904, rendering me a
position on the consulting board of
Idaho for the reclamation service,
the following statement occurs:
"The necessary close relations
between our work and the func-
tions of the state engineer, with
reference to engineering construc-
ton, water rights, state lands, ETC.,
render it eminently proper and de-
sirable that the reclamation service
have the benefit of. your advice, aud
that you be kept informed, not
only of the operations of the SER
vice, but of all prospective plans
for future operations.
1t has been charged, and justly.
that the course of the reclamation
service in this state was that of
close corporation. Upon receipt of
your letter l naturally assumed
that all this was to be done away
with, for was not l assured that, as
a member of the board, should
be kept informed, not only of the
operations of the service, but of all
prospective or tentative plans for
future operations?" This I firmly
believed. and still believe, was
your intention. But the ca. rying
out OF your expressed intention,
as embodied in your letter, has
been signally overlooked at this
end Of the line. Meetings to dis.
.cuss and map out operations are
Oelng repeatedly held by the SER
VlVe here, at which only those OF
The inner circles are present. My
presence is not desired, or, at least,
=. SO construe the fact that I am
never invited nor asked to attend
d 'aese meetings. So it happens
'Oat' in spite of your letter, 1 do
a9 N' AnOW one whit more about the
: actual plans and intentions of the
,>s' ~ service than I did before becoming
Smembe1 of the board.
~, , When accepted a place upon
'OIs board, it seemed to me that I
@lsht be of some benefit, not only
% the service, but to the people of
AuAuo as we'll. Evidently it was
- mistake to think so. Time and
Il eae again since 1 became a men,
! - OF the board, men have come
ss'O me for information and advice
upon matters of vital importance
: them concerning tentative con-
'aal relations with the govern
y aent' To be compelled to tell
Iue@ that, though a member of the
!. sOasd, l was absolutely ignorant OF
Selloerations and decisions, has
S&Gu HMM