The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-28
Many Projects Visited.


Secretary Ballinger states that during
his trip, most of the principal govern
ment reclamation projects have been Wis
tied, some of them by the senate COM
mlttee on irrigation. The water users and
settlers upon the reclamation projects
| have been conferred with, as well as the
government officers in the field, respect
ing existing projects, as we'll as questions
which may involve the Improvement OF
the service and the advancement of the
interests of the settlers"
Respecting reclamation work the studies
Ipade by the secretary have inspired him,
the statement says, with ambition to
complete existing projects as rapidly as
business prudence and moneys available
viii permit, and he is earnestly In favor
of securing authority from congress for
the issuance Of bonds against the recla-
nation funds to give the service the
means whereby ali existing projects can
be speedily completed and necessary ex-
tensions undertaken"
The secretary declined to discuss any
phase of the controversy regarding con-
servation policies, which has been de-
SCTibed as existing between himself and
| Clifford PinchOt, the government forester.
He made it plain that he viii deal with
conservation in his annual report, to
which he soon will give attention.
In Accord With President.
He declared himself in hearty accord
with President Taft as to the undertake
able feasibility warrants sthe expenditures
Of the funds, and independent of local or
political considerations. Every measure
is to be adopted on the ground that il
viii be useful for the whole country -
The secretary expresses confidence that
when his attitude is known the public
both the people and congress, will be n
hearty accord with the administra five,
policies of the interior department. In
his report Mr.. Ballinger declares he will
place special emphasis upon the right usa
and disposition Of the coal, phosphate oil
and Otner mineral deposits, water power
sites and other important natural re-
sources of the public domain. The activi-
ties Of the department, the secretary de
clares, will also show can aggressive and
unttring effort to prevent the illegal and
improper disposition of the public do
main"
Mr.. BalIinger describes himself as
keenly alive to the Importance Of the
reclamation work in restraining flood
waters and protecting the great river bs-
sins of the west from destructive floods.
he made special study of the conditions
on the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers
involving the appropriation and right use
OF the waters within American territory
before their passage into Mexico"
The Imperial Valley.
As regards. the .Imeprial valley in Cali
fornia, which takes its irrigible waters
from the Colorado river, Mr.. BalIinger
DelleVes those interested in the Imperial
valley, in order to obtain a permanent
water supply, ultimately viii have to take
their waters from the Laguna dam. He
says the department stands ready to 10
whatever 1t can to facilitate the estab-
llshment of a permanent water supplv
for the people of this valley A great
deal OF misunderstanding exists regarding
the departments attitude, the secretarY
says, adding that the government has at
present no control over or connection with
the private companies interested in the
canals and irrigation systems supplying
the Imperial valley.
The condition Of some Of the Tndan
schools inspected was described nv the
secretary as "a disgrace to the nation .
lie declared some of them were Dotbfne,
but mere rat traps. foul with age and
unsanitary.
He Is in full accord with the commits
sloner OF Indian affairs in his attemDfs to
overhaul the field service and secure
greater efficiency and a more Drouounced
advancement of the Indians.
Inc secretary is very emphatic in his
commentator Of the personnel OF the an
gineers and subordinates in the reclama-
ton service and for the high type of con-
strucuon anG durability of the work on
the various protests, for which they are
responsible as well as their general ef-
tciency and integrity The secretarv /
desirous that the work shall be Drosa-
cuted with such dispatch as to enable
the government to avail itself of the an
preparation and beneficial use of waters
in the western states. where large under
taklngs may be availed Of and which.
ne says. are generally not within the abiI-
ity OF private enterprise