The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-10-28
SECY. BALLINGER
GIVES STATEMENT

Washington, Oct 2I.-Secretary
Ballinger, of the department Of the
interior. who returned TO Washing
ton last night. after an extensive tour
of inspection OF the public domain and
interests In the far west under the
jurisdiction OF his department gave
ont today statement which Is re-
garded as a declaration OF his policy
as to these matters.
The statement is written in the
third person and takes up the yoriouS
features OF the departments work, de-
voting particular attention 10 the va
rlous reclamation enterprises and
especially TO water power sites on
the public domain
The secretary reiterates without
fear of contradiction" the statement
hiterto made In his behalf. that since
his incumbency 20 water power sites
on the public domain heretofore with
drawn, have been secured by private
parties and that he has energetically
made every effort, by temporary with
dTawals, to segrate existing power
sites on the public domain. In order
to enable congress TO legislate for
their more prudent disposition"
Secretary BalliugeT states that dur
Ing his trip most of the principal
government reclamation projects have
been visited. some of them with the
senate committee on irrigation. The
water users and settlers upon the rc-
clamation projects have been confer
red with. as we'll as the government
officers In the field respecting EXIT
ing projects, as we'll as questions
which may involve che improvement
of the service and the advancement
OF the interests of the settlers.
Reclamation Work
Respecting reclamation work, the
studies made by the secretary have
inspired him, the statement says,
with an ambition to complete eX.
listing projects as rapidly as business
prudence and moneys available will
permit and he Is earnestly In favor
OF securing authority from congress
for the issuance Of bonds against the
reclamation funds TO give the SER
vice the means whereby all existing
projects can be speedily completed
and necessary extensions undertaken. -
The secretary declined TO discuss
any phase OF the controversy regard
ing conservation policies which have
been rescribed as existing between
himself and Clifford Pinchot, the gov.
eTnment forester. He made 1t plain
that be Will deal with conservation
in his annual report. to which he
soon will give his attention
In Accord With Taft
He declared himself in hearty &C.
cord with President Taft as to the
undertaking OF irrigation work only
where probable feasibility warrants
the expenditure Of the funds, and in.
dependent OF local of political cou.
sideratlons. Every measure IS TO be
adopted on the ground that It Will be
useful for the whole country"
The secretary expresses confidence
that when his attitude is known tho
public, both the people and congress
vii be in hearty accord with the ad.
mlnistrative policies of the interior
department In his report, Mr.. Bal.
lineer declares. he Will place special
emphasis upon the right use and dis.
position OF the coal, phosphate. oil
and other mineral deposits water
power sites and other important
natural resources OF the public do.
main. The activities OF the depart.
ment the secretary declares, will also
show IAN aggressive and untirine ef-
fort to prevent the Illegal and np.
proper disposition of the public do.
main
keenly Alive TO Importance
Mr.. Ballinger describes himself rs
"keenly alive 10 the importance OF
the reclamation work In restraining
iood waters and protecting the greaI
river basins of the West from de,
structive floods. He made a special
study of conditions on the Colorado
and Rio Grandc rivers involving the
appropriation and right use OF the
waters within American territory be-
fore their passage into Mexico"
AS regards the Imperial valley In
California, which takes It's irrieable
waters from the Colorado river. Mr.
Ballinger believes those interested in
the Imperial valley, in order 10 obtain
permanent water supply, ultimately
Will have 10 take their waters from
the Laguna dam. He says the de.
partment stands ready to do whatever
IL can 10 facilitate the establishment
OF permanent supply for the peo-