The Washington herald., 1907-03-10
NEWELL IS DIRECTOR
Put Permanently in Charge
Of Reclamation Service.
.SUPERVISES IMMENSE WORK
Former Chief Engineer Appointed
by Secretary OF Interior Has Re-
spOnsibility for Expenditures of
St,0OO,OOO Month, 10000 EN-
pIOyes, and Railroads and Outfits.

Frederick Haynes Newell. chief engi-
.neer Of the United States Reclamation
Service. yesterday was appointed by the
Secretary of the Interior as the first d-
rector of the Reclamation Service. The
reclamation division was formerly a
bureau of the Geological Survey, but
undcr an act passed by the Fifty-ninth
Congress at the first session. it was on
March last taken from the Geological
Survey and made an independent divi
sion OF the Interior Department. The act
also provided for a temporary director
until the separation was effected. Charles
It. Walcott, former director OF the Geo
logical Survey was appointed temporary
director. A few weeks ago he was elect
ed by the regents of the Smithsonian In
stitution 10 serve as secretary of that
scientific bureau Mr.. Newell was then
selected as the first director Of the new
division.
Frederick Haynes Newell was born in
Bradford, Pa, March 5, 1867 He gradu-
atei from the engineering course of the
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in
lSS5, and later took a postgraduate course
in hydraulic work. Immediately after
completing his course he took up profess
sionaI work in Colorado Here he came
into direct contact with practical lrriga-
ton on a large scale, and his stay in
Colorado left a deep and lasting impress
sion, which was responsible in no small
degree for his accepting minor position
as hydraulic engineer in the Irrigation
Survey IN 1855.
Assisted i'm Organization.
During the formative stage Of this sur
vey, It's rather chaotic conditions afforded
an excellent field for the exercise and
development of young Newelrs capacity
for organization. Through all the vicissi-
tudes which the new bureau passed, he
never wavered ia his purpose of doing
Well and thoroughly everything assigned
to him. The Irrigation Survey proper
was short-lived, as Congress failed TO
provide for It after 1850. Authority, how
ever. was granted to continue the. meas
Urement of streams and to select. survey
and segregate reservoir sites. All of this
work was placed directly under the
charge of Mr.. Newell
His goal was national reclamation Of
the Great American Desert, and for eight
cen years he has devoted all OF his skill
and energy to the work of acquiring in
formation concerning the resources and
needs OF the arid West IL is said that he
has rrst-hand knowledge of every impor-
tant stream in the West. The extensive
and valuable results obtained through this
work attracted wide attention. and the
demand for data led Congress 10 increase
the appropriations gradually. until in 1902
they amounted 10 $4,000 annually
Work I'm Vast wilderness.
The early work was mainly ia vast
wilderness fun Of obstacles to civilized
occupation, and the results were largely
responsible for the subiugation Of many
desolate valleys and the development of
large areas for agriculture. His work
opened new channels for industry, new
employment for many thousands. and CON
tinues to afford opportunities for the home
seeker.
The reclamation act Of June L. 1902,
was the logical development of the inves-
LEGATIONS Of the previous twelve years
under Mr. Newell. Naturally. its admins
tration was placed in his hands as chief
engineer by the Director Of the Geological
survey his appointment 10 lilc ItSillDI
of Director Of the Reclamation Service.
as an independent bureau, Is a recognj-
ton of the valuable services he has rem
dered the government.
Spends Much Time i'm Camp.
If Mr.. Newell has anything that may be
called a hobby it is his insistence on a
close personal acquaintance with the
work Of which he has charge. He spends
a large share of his time I'm camp dis
cussing details on the ground, with those
who are designing or building works,
thus equpping himself for quick and
wise decision on the many points of i'm
pOrtance that constantly demand execu-
tive action. He is an incessaRt worker,
and has the capacity for an immense
amount of business.
valuable element Of his success in or
ganization lies in his capacity for choos-
ing the men needed for responsible posi-
lions. and I'm maintaining an esprit de
corps among them that has challenged
the admiration of all who have come in
contact with the Reclamation Service.
Working ON Many Projects.
As "a result of his foresightedness and
his ability in organization, the RecIama-
ton Service entered upon actual construc-