The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-05-21
MAJOR REED
TALKS IRRIGATION
Address Delivered by Him to the
Press Club After Wis
iting This Sec
ton.
Mr.. President, and Members OF the
Eastern Idaho Press Club:

Mr.. President, and Members OF the
Eastern Idaho Press Club:
Recognizing the fact to marked
degree that you men engaged In
newspaper work and in the publica-
tion of newspapers in Idaho are do
ing great and wonderful work in
aiding the development and upbuild-
ing of the state we all love, am go
ing to be very plain and in my re-
marks to you there will be no color
ings Of any sort used.
Taking for my subject the won
derful development of the Twin Falls
North Side Tract, explaining to you
in detail how step by step the mighty
retaining Of 100000 acres of sage
brush land has been accomplished,
claim that no such development In
the irrigation world has ever taken
place In so short a period of time.
In eighteen months great irriga-
tion system has been constructed,
which with its main canals, big and
small laterals, will represent $50
miles of canal work. As 1t were, in
a day the magic wand of irrigation
has been waved over desert, and
behold the transformation. Few peo-
pie really understand the obstacles
to be overcome in this mighty under
taking
There was nothing to commence
with except money, brains, muscle
and human ingenuity, In the first
place, in order to place working
force on the desert for construction
purposes the water used by man and
beast had to be hauled many miles
on wagon. Great tanks, drawn by
four six and eight horses, were used
for that purpose. As soon as possible
wells were driven, Ave or six miles
apart; the distance from the surface
| to the water level being from $50 To
200 feet. As soon as the water was
struck pumps were installed and gas
oline engines pumped the water into
tanks; by this we established our
first system of water stations.
In the neighborhood of 1900 to
1000 men were engaged in this con-
struction work. In the great rock
cuts electric power was used when
possible, to operate drills and in ele-
waiting rock from the cuts, the work
being prosecuted day and night, the
power being used to light up the
work at night. Every contrivance
and piece Of machinery that would
facilitate the work and that was
labor saving was used. All OF this
great work savored Of a mighty army,
marching across the desert. All the
supplies had to be hauled many
miles from the nearest railroad points
This army Of men had to be depart
mentized and an organization per-
fected. am frank to say to you that
II have been in the employ OF big
companies for many years, and ! have
never known Of working organiza-
tion on so perfect basis.
d. G. MacWatters, as General SUI
perintendent and Vice President of
most of the subsidiary companies.
has had general supervision over
all Of the departments. To Mr.. Mac
Waters is due the credit Of perfect
ing this great organization, of dis
bursting millions Of dollars, and to
him is due Unreasonable credit for
the position he has so ably and con-
scientiously filed. The Land Depart
ment embraces the advertising de-
partment, and no corporation In the
irrigation world has ever given the
public more light and more truth
full work than has the Twin Falls
North Side Land & Water Company.
All Of these officers heretofore des-
cribed, and their various commands,
have attacked this work from every
side, and the result is what you gen.
tlemen are seeing today in your trip
across the tract.
A more loyal, splendid set of men
have never been linked together In
any great piece Of work, and to every
man connected with the work, from
the man in the most lowly position
to the commander-in-chief. Is due
4
all this stand as sponsors for the
faithful performance Of this work.
and as guarantors OF the success Of
this great enterprise, J. s. Kuhn and
w. 8. Kuhn, OF Pittsburgh. These
men carried this great enterprise
through the last panic without ire
NOR, every just bill and debt has
been paid, and every employee treat
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