Bisbee daily review., 1906-11-28
RECLAMATION |S MAKING BIC
 PROGRESS
Chief Engineer Newell Returns From Inspection of Various Projects Highly Pleased Witn Conditions.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 27.-F. H. Newell, chief engineer of the reclama- tion, service, has recently returned from trip to many of the larger irri- gation projects now under construc- tion in the west and southwest and has expressed himself as greatly pleased with the progress of the work. Speak ing of his observations and the work in general, MT. Newell said:
 Tn general, work is progressing ia yorably, and construction has reached a point where results can be seen. The chief drawback at the present time is difficulty in securing competent labor CTS.
 There is a small army of laborers tramping backwards and forwards. along the railway lines, the greater part at present being headed of course, for California and the southwest in general.
 The largest work of reclamation now in hand is the Roosevelt dam in Arizona, the foundation of which is now in and is approaching the river level. If the floods in Salt river do not occur for a month or two. the foundations, which cover about an acre in extent, will be above the wa ter level
 The Laguna dam on the Colorado river is being successfully pushed by ]. G. White Co., New York city, and it's success is now assured through the closing of the break in the Colorado river"
 The reservoir to be created in New Mexico above Fl Paso by the great Eagle dam will have capacity of 2,000, 900 acre feet. or twice that ere ated by the Assuan dam in Egypt, and will be the largest artificial lake in the world.
 Owing to the great demand made on the reclamation fund in other locali- ties, the money for this entire project is not yet available. Recognizing the importance of early action in this sec ton, however, the secretary of the interior. on December 2, 1905, ailott ed the sum of $200, 900 for the immedi ate construction of the portion of the project known as the Leasburg diver. sion. It Is this dam with canal to connect 1t with the old Las Cruces sys tenn for which contract has just been let. Work will be pushed rapidly during the winter. and it is hoped thal water can be supplied to 15,000 acres in Aesiila valley during the Irrigation season Of 1907.
 The secretary of the interior has executed a contract on behalf of tho United States and approved the bond of Contractor F. Nelson, Of San An tonic, Tex, for the construction ant completion of this diversion dam an; canal.
 The contract calls for the construc ton Of six miles of canal with 321 % cubic yards of excavation, the furn ishing and driving of 35.o00 linear feet of round piles and 170,000 fee board measure of shee piles, and 2,Go cubic yards of concrete for the sum 0 s100, ,1S7.50.
 The letting of this contract iaurche the government on the great work O constructing the Rio Grende project one of the largest and most expensiv of the irrigation works of the reclama rion service.
 This project contemplates the con structIon of a huge dam near Eagle N M., to store water for the irrigation of 1s0.000 acres, 10000 of which ii in that territory. The cost of the er tire system Is estimated at $7.200 ,00t The main item of cost is the dam which will require 100000 barrels o cement. large amount of machiuer, gatee. etc.. entailing heavy outla for freight. It is estimated that tn dam will cost approximately g. 300 .00' It will be 225 feet high, 1S0 feet thic on the bottom, and 20 feet on top. will be 1 .15o long on top of the crest.