The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-06-18

less there is a change of program, f.
H. Newell will retire from the Office of
Director of the United States Rec,ama-
ton Service some time during the
coming fall. probably to be succeeded
by some man not now in the govern
ment service Who that man will be
has not yet been determined. but the
indications are that he will, in addi-
ton to an engineering education, have
a comprehensive knowledge of the law
Mr.. Newell, unless he so desires, will
not sever his connection with the Re
clamation Service, but will be retained
as an engneer-probably a general
consulting engineer
About the time there was a change Of
administration it was learned that GER
tain western Senators were anxious to
secure the removal of Mr.. Newell from
office. That effort failed. I'm fact,
those who talked most about securing
the removal of Director Newell were
the last to make any serious effort to
accomplish their purpose, The agita-
ton they started was Of short dura-
ton In time it completely died out.
But it develops that Secretary Balm
ger is not altogether satisfied with the
way the Reclamation Service has been
conducted While he finds no evidence
of corruption or crookedness he finds
more or less dissatisfaction; some lit
tie friction, and what he is inclined
to regard as looseness i'm the conduct of
that bureau of his department
The situation in brief, is this: while
Secretary Ballinger finds little fault
with the engineering work of Mr.. Ne
we'll he inclines strongly to the opinion
that he can find more satisfactory
administrative officer to take general
supervision of the Reclamation Ser
vice-to become its business manager,
so to speak He recognizes that MI.
Newers abilities lie along the lines
Of engineering rather than admins
tration, and it is that fact which in
clines him to the opinion that change
should be made. BY appointing new
Director he believes he can overcome
those unsatisfactory features of ad-
ministration which do not meet with
his approval.
Secretary Ballinger is not ready 70
recommend 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 personally go upon
a number of government irrigation pre-
iects, especially those that have given
rise to complaint and to trouble. On
the ground he will find out for him
self what has led to unsatisfactory
conditions. and who is to blame IT
his investigation fails to bear out his
present impressions, and if he finds
that no fault attaches to Mr.. Newell,
as Director. he will alter his plans, and
MIR. Newell will remain at the head OF
the Reclamation Service On the 9TH
er hand. if investigation sustains the
Secretary in the impressions he now
holds, he will recommend a change att
err his return to Washington in the
fall.
The inclination of Secretary Balm
ger to urge change in the head OF
the Reclamation Service is not due to
the activity of politicians who have
uuarreled with Director Newell; it is
not due to the recommendation of any
one. 1t is due TO his own experience
with the Reclamation Service since he
became Secretary of the Interior. As
a government machine, that service is
not running as 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 Re
camation Service, under previous Sec
retaries, has followed policy that
does not meet with the approval OF
Secretary Ballinger. Being man OF
fixed ideas. Judge Ballinger insists that
his ideas he followed by all branches
of his Department.
1t should be said, in full justice to
Mr.. Newell that he has not worked
at cross purposes with Secretary Balm
ger, but rather at his direction. New
ertheless there is not that same bond
between the service and the present
Secretary that was noted between the
service and Secretary Garfield Under
Garfield, the Reclamation Service took
the lead, and the Secretary approved;
now the Secretary takes the lead, aud
the service must follow his directions.
Even under Secretary Hitchcock, the
Reclamation Service had much freeI
hand than it has today for Mr. Hitch
cock was devoting his time to other
matters. and not being versed in ques-
tions of irrigation, interferred but lit
tie with Mr. Newells plans. Clifford
Pinchot, head of the Forest Service,
through his intimate relations with
President Roosevelt, was able to assist
Mr.. Newell In the old days Presi-
dent Roosevelt was an enthusiast over
irrigation; he had confidence In Mr..
"A, -,