Arizona republican., 1906-01-28
RECLAMATION ACT
 STORY OF ITS BIRIH
Continued from Page 4.


 of all water users associations Throughout the arid west. We feel thankful to these gentlemen for having blazed the way and done this work.
 Of this project here, it is not neces- sary to say much because you are all so familiar with it. MT. A P. Davis, who was originally in charge of the work here, was found to be such a val uable man that We had to have him help in the management of all the pro- jects, because the work is so widely distributed that the office of chief en- gineer must necessarily demand the presence in Washington of one who is acquainted with all the details of the work in hand. In order to keep fresh and well acquainted with actual con- ditions of the various works, one must see them. There is nothing so de- structive to the working ability of a man as staying at a desk and drop ping into the official office routine which seems to dull his sensibilities. Out here in the west it develops all there is in a man. In the office of the chief engineer there must be two men While MT. Davis is now sitting at the desk in Washington I am out here having a good time. Uaughter)
 When MT Davis left here, the next thing was to find man capable of filling his place. We were most for, tunate in securing the services of MT. Louis c Hill. You all know what MT. Hill has accomplished and I feel that we should be congratulated on the eX- cellent work that has been done here and on the efficient system which Mir. Hill has inaugurated. CApplause.)
 On none of the projects are matters carried out in a more business like n Christian like condition or administra- is due, I think, to the gentleman I have named. (Applause)
 A few words now as to the organiza- tion of the reclamation service under the geological survey. It was placed under the director of the geological survey in order that we might have the benefit of the experience and pre- cedents of d business organization which had done good work in the past. With these precedents and with these rules which had long been establish ed we have every day carried out the work as rapidly as possible.
 The idea has been to get something done. and to show the people that it Is possible under governmental manage ment to really do something. Last summer a party of British engineers, in looking over the work of the project asked us How many years have you been getting ready for this great work and when told only three years. they said: You should have had at least ten years in which to plan a work of such magnitude" We told them that we must build the works first and plan them afterwards, the need was so great.
 
 and if We had it all to do over again, We could, no doubt. have done it bet ter than the first time, but we are earnestly trying to get these first pro- jects started and at the same time im prove our methods. The best results have been attained within the limits Of governmental system which neces- sarily make the prosecution of the work somewhat more expensive than if t were oOne by a private corporation.
 If you are expending your own mon ey. you can explain things, and cut corners here and there but in govern mental affairs there is no man who can excuse you from anything. Every thing you do must stand the test of law. In the work which the reclama- tion service is carrying out we must follow closely the decisions and prece- dents of the treasury department.
 
 The able management of affairs here by MT. Hill has shown the pOssi- bility of economy. I believe that it is possible for us to work together as body. and produce results comparable with those of the best corporate or ganization. I think we are seeing ir done right here every day, and with the assistance of these gentlemen I see before me, and with all of us pulling 41.~- -Ty, a business system, as efficient and as good as any that can be found any where.
 One of the things I am particularly interested in. now that the work is well started. is to get it into the best of shape in order that we may know just what each piece of material and every piece of work is costing. In govern mental affairs there is no closing up Of books; we are always responsible for our acts as long as we live. As you may know, throughout the business world there has been a great change within the last ten years. It used to be that if a man invested his money and after a time seeing a fair pro- fit he was satisfied. The modern busi- ness man wants to know from day to day what every item of his business Is costing and whether his workmen are
 
 producing more or less. On the basis of that accurate knowledge he builds up a business.
 I believe modern business methods can be incorporated in governmental work. MT. Hill and his colleagues have already started an excellent system of Keeping track of everything-just what each piece of work is costing and why 1t costs a little more or less than similar piece of work at a different place on rho project.
 In closing I wish to emphasize that this is a work which I believe will live for all time and which will be for the building of homes. for the making of good results. I believe that every man and woman connected with the recla- nation service should feel at all times that they are doing something not merely for the earning of their daily broad and living bI1t for tba 11Db11iId.