The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-22
WORLD
Ponderous Structure Is Named
After President Roosevelt.
WILL CHECK A TURBULENT RIVER

Largest Irrigation Project I, ~.
United States Described by a Reel.
nation Service Statistfciau-Cb.
and Mystery Of the REGION +,
which the Work IL Being Csrr,.s
| On-Careful Construction.
mo national work under the recla-
nation act has attracted more yenero,
interest and none has been more w,da.
~ advertised than the Salt river proi-
ect in Arizona" said c. J. Blanchard
statistician Of the reclamation service
who recently returned from an extend.
ed trip through the west, says a Wash.
ingtOn correspondent of the New York
Tribune.
aside from its engineering features
several of which are stupendous and
spectacular" he continued, 1.-The charm
and mystery of the region in which the
work is going on appeal strongly to al,
who have studied the history of this
country. The Salt river valley has been
Inhabited 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 wind swept drift of cen
turtles has choked these channels, and
their dwellings are 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 were cut
from the solid rock long ago.
THE drive from the town of Mesa. a
fertile oasis in the semitropical desert,
to Roosevelt is one not to be forgotten.
From a reglo.> of almost tropical luxu-
rance you have ->erely to cross a ca
nal to enter upon a >,de expanse Of
desolation wherein the gian, cactus 10
q prominent feature of the landscape
For twenty miles the government road
stretches out across this desert plain to
the foot of the Superstition mountains.
a most peculiar and freaky formation,
regarded with superstitous awe by the
Maricopa Indians. Entering the noun
tain area the road winds by easy
grades up the range, affording views
Of wonderful beauty.
Transcontinental travellers cannot
afford to miss this trip. for the ride
over the Roosevelt road is now regard
ed as one of the most striking scenic
journeys in this country. The night in
Fish Creek canyon, where a hospitable
welcome, is u delightful memory. The
road has afforded opportunity to in.
spect a profound canyon which here
tofore was not accessible. 1t is min
iature Grand Canyon of the Colorado.
1.-The climb along the dizzy ridges
until the government. camp above
Roosevelt is reached would be little
less than terrifying but for the broad
and comfortable roadway which Uncle
Sam has carved from the solid rock.
The view from the mountains above
the dam site is inspiring. Below you
the river, like silver thread, rushes
through a dark and narrow canyon
To the east lies broad fat, across
which Tonic creek and Salt river have
cut their channels. On the other side
Of the canyon the contractors camp
covers a broad area. Looking far be-
low in the canyon through a confusion
Of cables and wires, an army of men
are at work thirty feet below the river
bed laying great rocks two and three
tons in weight in layers of cement up
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
tee river.
.'On the hill to the right the govern
nent cement mill gives noisy evidence
hat Uncle Sam as manufacturer is
,Adismayed st the prophecy Of experts
who knew he couldn't make good ce-
nent. Night and day his plant goes
"a. grinding out the best cement ever
made. and the skips are carrying it out
III cables and dropping it down to the
works in the canyon. If your nerves
ire steady and your legs are strong
'on must not fail to go down the lad
le' to the power house, which the en-
,ineers have cut out of the solid walls
Il the canyon. It's walls. roof and floor
ire solid rock. The power canal, sew
nseen miles long, carries the water to
he top of the hill and then through
tunnel drops it sheer 22O feet upon
he great turbines. Here electricity is
,enerated for all purposes. 1t furnishes
he contractor his power. it runs the
ock crusher and the pumps, 1t lights
be camps, the city of Roosevelt and IL
inmates the canyon throughout the
light. 1t is 4 most inspiring scene to
tand on the top of the cliff at night
nd by the myriads Of electric globes
Vatch the toilers far below laying the
uge blocks of sandstone.
'"The worlds greatest dam Is build
ng, a ponderous structure 294 reef
Ugh and 800 feet long on the top. Ev-
~ rock in it is inspected, and every
ock is also washed thoroughly before
eing put in place. Watchful inspect
rs hover about the work, noting every
e.