The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-06-11

aDillieB would Dfing MIN I'D prIvate
! life, content with the small government
salary and the enduring monument toI
bis memory which he Is creating in the
West. He carries the detail Of the vast
work under bis charge Ut the tips Of his
fingers. A newspaper correspondent
recently bad occasion TO ask him about
the progress Of The work on minor
project In Montana, without q mo.
ment's hesitation, without referring To
single report, or calling for clerks or
papers, Mr.. Newell stated the number OF
cubic yards Of excavation, the number
of men employed, the details of the en-
cheering problems encountered, with as
much circumstance az II be had been
the subproject engineer instead Of the
chief engineer, Of the service. II II this
mastery 81 infinite detail that surprised
the members Of the Congressional com.
mittee at recent hearing on the appro-
lpFiation for reclamation work.
A Long Lucky Fight.
Mr.. Newell was born In Bradford,
PA, March s, 1862. He was graduated
lin the engineering course At the Mass.
achusetts Institute Of Technology, In
1885, and later took 4 post graduate
course. Immediately after completing
his course be began professional work
lin Colorado. Here he came into direct
contact with practical irrigation work
upon a large scale. His stay in Colo
RADIO left deep and lasting impression
which was responsible for his accepting
4 minor position as hydraulic engineer
in the Federal irrigation survey Of 1888.
The formative stage Of this new work
gave him an excellent field for the ex-
ercise and development Of his capacity
for organization and administration.
Throughout all the yicissitudes which
the new bureau passed he never wayeed
In his purpose Of doing everything tho
roughly, trait which has had much 70
do with bis success.
The irrigation survey had but a
short lease Of life at this time, as Con-
gress failed TO recognize its Importance
and neglected to make an appropria-
tion for the work after 1890. Author
lity, however, was granter to continue
1.-The measurment Of streams and the se-
lection and surveys Of reservoir sites.
This work was placed directly under the
charge oi Mr.. Newell.
Firmly believing that reclamation for
the Federal government must ultimate
~ be undertaken, Mr.. Newell for eight
cen years devoted all his skill and ener-
gies to the work Of acquiring informa-
tion concerning the resources AMI needs
OF the arid West. As a result he has
first hand information relative TO eve
I ry important strearA in the irrigation
districts. The important and valuable
results OF his work finally won recog-
milton from Congress and the apropria-
tion was increased to 100000 in 1892.
! The reclamation act was the logical re-
suit Of these years Of patient labor, and
when it went into effect the way was
cleared for II by long years Of the nee
essary preliminary work, without which
construction would have been delayed
for several years.
Government By The People.
These towns viii enjoy not only an
unlimited supply Of good water for
drinking and domestic purposes, but IN
may instances the irrigation works viii
furnish plants for lighting and indus
trial plants for the operation Of electric
railroads 1t is noteworthy that th'
sources Of these public utilities will il
every such case be in the hands Of th'
people, to whom the government il
pledged to turn over its irrigation sys