The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-04
GRAFTERS THREATEN
RECLAMATION WORK
Attempt by Political Wolves to
Force the Removal of
Director Newell
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

| WASHINGTON. D. c., July "A crit
ical period has arrived in the life of
the reclamation service. 1t has come to
| few months will show whether the
bureau is to be continued as the model
bureau of the federal government or
whether it is fated to be prostituted
! by scheming politicians and permitted
| to degenerate into a machine for the
Exploitation of party and graft. Ever
since the change in administration. the
lean gray wolves of graft and loot
have been drifting back to Washing
ton, and the reclamation service. with
its almost exhaustless opportunities
for plumber and power, has made their
hungry mouths water, and has been the
object of their insidious attacks.
CALIFORNIA HAS VITAL STAKE
California has a big and vital stake
in this little game which is being
played in Washington It's irrigation
interests. particularly in the Sacra-
mento valley. are large and are grow
| ing in Importance. When its various
projects are completed millions of dol
| lars will be added to the taxable
wealth of the state in addition to
large increase in population, and Cali
fornia has right to demand that the
administration OF the reclamation serv-
i've should continue as it has been since
| its creation, without the suspicion of
zens of the state were alive TO the
danger that threatens.
1t needs only the vigorous express
sion of awakened public opinion to
avert the blow which, if it falls. will
put irrigation in California and the
west back a decade or more
The movement has crystalIized in an
effort to force the removal or the resig-
nation of Director Newell, who has
been the head of the reclamation serv-
ice since its Establishment 1t is per-
haps the highest compliment that can
be paid his administrative ability, and
the kind of enemies Director Newell
has made by conducting his Office upon
a high plane of business and profess
sional ideals also is fattering indorse-
ment.
1t is VIGOROUSLY an open secret that
political contractors men with a
pull and party influence alone to
back them, have never found a con-
genial atmosphere in Newelrs Office.
Perhaps it is because Newell is not a
| practical man that he can not see a
political necessity in an engineering
problem. but that is another story.
BALEFUL INFLUENCES
Even before Taft was inaugurated
the influences which seek to exploit
the reclamation service began their
work. Rumors of changes. more or
less vague, We're set ahoat and in
many undetermined and insidIous ways
the attack upon the esprit de corps
and the morale of the service pro
crossed until today the splendid ma
chine which Newell has created is
upon the verge of decentralization.
Many of the ablest engineers and ad-
mlnistrative officers I'm the service.
fearing 1t is to be made the prey of
/ politicians and possibly grafters. are
considering the acceptance of positions
in civil life
| The interests which seek the removal
OF Director Newell have brought DOW
erful pressure to bear upon Secretary
Ballinger and Senator Carter chairman
! of the senate committee on irriga-
ton. but Secretary Ballinger has de-
clared in most positive terms that the
removal of Newell is not contemplated,
and Senator Carter is known TO have
great admiration for. the abilities of
Newer, although he believes that in
certain directions the administration of
the service could be improved.
BALLINGER'S INDISCREET FRIENDS
Friends of Secretary BaTringer have
been particularly indiscreet in their
predictions of what they declare is
soon to happen in the reclamation serv-
ice. They quote him as determined to
reorganize the service with Newell out
side the breastworks Not long ago a
young man from Ballinger's ONCE.
while in Nebraska. declared at a pub
lie meeting that it was the prime pur-
pose of the secretary to repair the
gross plumbers of Roosevelt, Garfield
and Newell in interior department af-
fairs, and the terms in which these
gentlemen were. mentioned and the
changes intimated as soon to take
place drew forth from the water users
vigorous resolutions of protest
Despite Secretary Ballinger's posi-
tive declaration that Newell is not to
be removed, the campaigners for
plumber have not halted in their eff
forts to create a situation which would
force Newell out of his position. They
have the confidence born of hungry
desire for the purse strings. However,
The Call representative is assured upon
authority that can not be questioned
that President Taft, while still pursu-
ing his policy of not interfering with
the details of departmental administra-
ton, will not tolerate the suggestion
that Director Newell be displaced. In
fact, 1t is stated that he has expressed
I