The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-09-19

quently asked concerning the recla-
nation act and it's operations. There
has also been prepared similar set
of questions and answers which
cover in particular the facts con-
corning homestead entries, water
users associations and lands in pri-
vate ownership. Applications should
be made for this as circular 1881 of
the United States geological survey
Reclamation Act.
@. What is the reclamation act?
A. 1t is law passed by congress
and signed by President Roosevelt
on June II. 1902, setting aside the
proceeds from the disposal of public
lands in the thirteen western states
and three territories.
@. Where Is this money kept?
A. 1t is transmitted from the re-
ceivers of the various land offices to
the treasury and there credited to
the reclamation fund, after certain
deductions have been made. 1t is
kept in the treasury until drawn out
by warrant for payment Of certain
specific expenses resulting from the
operations carried on under the act.
@. Who spends the money?
A. The secretary of the interior
Is by law named as the officer who
has charge of all the work. No ex-
pense is incurred and no money ex-
pended without his explicit sanction.
@. How does he direct the work !?
A. He has created an organization
for surveying, examining, construct
ing and maintaining the irrigation
works, known as the reclamation
service. At the head of this Is a d.
rector. who reports to the secretary
and takes instruction from him.
The present director Is also the d.
rector of the United States geological
survey.
@. What does the geological sur
vey have to do with this work?
A. The general investigation of
the arid regions were at an early
period urged by Major John W.
Powell, director of the geological
survey. He was authorized BY con-
gress in 1888 to ascertain the ex-
tent to which the arid regions could
be reclaimed and an appropriation
was made for beginning work on
what is known as the first irrigation
survey. The appropriations for this
were discontinued in 1890. except
ing so far as these related to topo-
graphic surveys. In 1894 the meas
urement OF streams was authorized
by congress, and finally, in 1902, the
reclamation act was passed. At all
times the director Of the geological
survey has been authorized to con-
tinue Investigations which ultimately
will be Of advantage to general rec
lamation work.
@. Is the reclamation service con-
nected with the geological survey?
A. No; it is a natural outgrowth
of the work Of the Typographical sur
veys, stream measurements. exam
nations of reservoir sites. ETC., and
the principal engineers of the hydro
graphic branch of the geological sur
vey were detailed to the reclamation
service, and this service has been
continued under the director Of the
geological survey. but is an entirely
separate and distinct organization.
@. Does the reclamation service
attend to all matters under the rec
lamation act?
A. No. All legal questions grow
ing out Of the operation Of the act
are settled in the department of JUS
tice. An assistant attorney general
is detailed from this department to
directly advise the secretary of the
interior, and his opinion may be con-
sidered as final on points Of law as
far as the department is concerned.
All fiscal transactions are handled
by the treasury department. through
the auditor for the interior depart
ment. and are subject to the super
vision OF the comptroller of the treas
ury. In the most important matters
concerning the reclamation act there
are, therefore, three entirely distinct
departments of the government con-
cerned-interior. justice and treas
ury.
@. Does the reclamation service
sell the irrigated lands?
A. No; the lands are not sold, but
are disposed of by the general land
office under the terms of the recla-
nation act and the general laws gov
erning the conveyance of title to the
public lands. All questions relating
to such matters must be taken to the