New-York tribune., 1906-12-09
Greatest Irrigation Project
in the Land Named
After President.
From the Tribune Bureau.I

Washington. Dec. S.-"No national work under
the Reclamation act has attracted more general
interest, and none has been more widely adver-
tised. than the Salt River project in Arizona
said c. J. Blanchard. statistician of the Recla-
nation Service. who has just returned from an
extended trip through the West.
Aside from its engineering features. several of
which are stupendous and spectacular" he con-
tinued. the charm and mystery of the region in
which the work is going appeal strongly to
all who have studied the history of this coun-
try The Salt River Valley has been inha bted
at different times by three races, each making
use of irrigation in agricultural operations. OF
the first, whose ruined canals and structures are
found in many places. but little is known. The
WindsWept drift of centuries has choked these
channels and their dwellings, crumbling into
dust with the weight of ages. The modern ditch
making machinery, in laying out new systems.
uncovered many of these old bitches. some of
which We're cut from the solid rock long before
the age Of metals.
The drive from the town of Mesa a fertile
oasis in the mi-tropcal desert. to Roosevelt is
one not to be forgotten. From a region Of
almost tropical luxuriance YOU have merely to
cross d canal to enter upon a wide expanse OF
desolation wherein the giant cactus is a prom
inent feature of the landscape. For twenty
miles the government road stretches out across
this desert plain to the foot of the Superstition
Mountains, most peculiar and freaky forma-
tion. regarded with Superstitious awe by the
MarCopa Indians. Entering the mountain area
the road winds by easy grades up the range
affording views of wonderful beauty painted in
marvellous colors
''Transcontnental travellers cannot afford
miss this trip for the ride over the Roosevelt
road is now regarded as one of the most strik-
ing scenic journeys in this country. The night
in Fish Greek Canyon. where a hospitabe host
and hostess make the traveller welcome. is
0PIPhtfnI afforded on
portunity to inspect "A profound canyon which
heretofore was not accessible. It is a miniature
Grand Canyon of the Colorado.
The climb along the dizzy ridges until the
government camp above Roosevelt is reached
broad and comfortable roadway which Uncle
Sam has carved from the solid rock The view
from the mountains above the dam site is in
spring Below YOU the river like a silver
canyon. TO the east lies broad fiat across
which Tonic Creek and Salt River have cut
their channels. ON the other side of the canyon
the contractors camp covers broad
Looking far below in the canyon through a
confusion of cables and wires. army of men
are at work thirty feet below the river bed lay
ing great rocks two and three tons i'll weight
in layers of cement upon the bed rock Of the
stream These men look but little larger than
toys, but the fruit of their toll is visible in the
beautiful curve Of stone now rising slowly but
surely from the bottom of the river
ON the hill to the right the government
cement mill gives noisy evidence that Uncle
Sam. as a manufacturer. is undismayed at the
make good cement. Night ana day his plant
goes on. grinding out the best cement ever
made, and the skips are carrying II out on
cables and dropping II down to the works in the
canyon. If your nerves are steady and your
legs are strong, you must not fail 10 go down
the ladder 10 the powerhouse, which the en-
ginCers have cut out Of the solid walls Of the
canyon. It's walls roof and floor are solid rock
The power canal, seventeen miles long, carries
the water To the top uf the hill ana then through
tunnel drops IL sheer go feet upon the great
turbines Here electricity is generated for all
purposes. 1t furnishes the contractor his power
IL runs the rock crusher and the pumps IL
lshts the camps the city of Roosevelt. and il
Eliminates the canyon throughout the night. It
Is "A most inspiring scene To stand on the top
ot the cliff at night and hy the myriads
81 electric globes watch the toilers far below
ID" me hU.Fc bloc. - - S"'fdStpna.
THE worlds greatest dam is building %
P"'''Ious 4'i1ctuu. pa ce"t hirh aad >Ho feet
io"s On top, Every rucA IN il Is inspected. and