East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-06-10

Washington.-Unless there is a
change of programme, f. H. Newell
will retire from the office of director
of the United States Reclamation Ser
vice some time during the coming fall
probably to be succeeded by some
one not now in the Government SER
vice. Who that man will be has not
yet been determined, but the indica-
tions are that he will, in addition to
an engineering education, have a COM
prehensive knowledge of the law. Mr..
Newell unless he so desires, will not
sever his connection with the decla-
nation service, but will be retained as
an engineer-probably a general con-
sulting engineer.
About the time there was a change
of administration it was learned that
certain Western Senators were anx-
ious TO secure the removal of Mr. New
ell from office. That effort failed.
The agitation those senator's started
was Of short duration. In time it
completely died out.
But it develops that Secretary Ball
niger is not altogether satisfied with
the way the Reclamation Service has
been conducted. While he finds no evil
dence of corruption of crookedness,
no yielding TO political influence, no
fragrant mal-administration he finds
more or less dissatisfaction, some lit
tie friction, and what he is inclined to
regard as looseness.
Defects in Administration
The situation, in brief. is this While
Mr.. Ballinger finds no fault with
the engineering work of Mr.. Newell,
but has respect for his ability as an
engineer, he inclines strongly to the
opinion that he can find a more sat-
isfactory administrative officer to
take general supervision of the Recla-
nation Service-to become its busi-
ness manager, so to speak. He re-
cognizes that Mr., Newells abilities lie
along the lines of engineering rather
than administration, and that fact in
clines him to the opinion that some
change should be made. By retaining
Mr.. Newell as an engineer officer, he
can save to the Reclamation Service
the valuable advice of the present
director on all problems affecting con-
struction, while by appointing a new
director he believes he can overcome
those unsatisfactory features of ad-
ministration which he disapproves.
Mr.. Ballinger is not ready to re-
commend a change at the present,
time, for he desires to get more de-
tailed information before taking such
a radical step. During the Summer
the Secretary will go personally upon
a number Of government irrigation
projects, especially those that have
given rise to trouble. On the ground
he will find out for himself what has
led to unsatisfactory conditions and
who is to blame. If his investigation
fails to bear out his present impress
ions and IL he finds that no fault at
taches 70 Mr.. Newell as director, he
may remain at the head of the Recla-
nation Service. On the other hand
II investigation sustains the Secretary
in the impressions he now holds, he
will recommend change on his re-
turn to Washington in the fall.
The inclination Of Mr.. Ballinger to
urge change is not due to the activ-
ity Of politicians who have quarreled
with Mr.. NEWELL 1t is not due to the
recommendation of any one. 1t Is
based on his own experiences with the
Reclamation Service since he became
Secretary OF the Interior. AS Gov
ernment machine, that service it not
running smoothly as might be desired;
there Is not entire harmony between
the service and the present head of
the interior department On many
details Of administration the Reclama-
tion Service, under previous secre-
taries. has followed policy that does
not meet with the approval Of Mr. Bal
linger He insists that his ideas be
followed by all branches Of his de-
partment.
Ballinger Boss Over Bureau
Mr.. Newell has not worked at
cross-purposes with Mr.. Ballinger, but
rather at his direction. Nevertheless
there is not that same bond between
the service and the present Secretary
that was noted between the service
and Secretary Garfield Under Mr..
Garfield the Reclamation Service
took the lead, and the Secretary ap-