The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-05-19

put under irrigation, viii b the highest
Ia the world It viii wall up a narrow
gorge in the mountains sixty feet wide
at the bottom, 200 feet at the top, and
326 feet above the first levels Of rock and
granite that form it's broad base.
This places the top Of the dam 2l1a
feet higher than the tip Of the feathers
81 Armed Liberty" the statue that
surmounts the dome of the United States
capitol at Washington.
The dam interseets BOX Canyon at it's
narrowest point and, while It seems to
the eye Of the traveller the most natural
place in the world TO build dam, its
construction was not without difficulties.
The site Is so inaccessible that no private
capital could afford to have begun the
construction work. In order TO get 20 the
dam site, the reclamation service had
to build road up the steep sides of the
mountains. This alone cost $4,000. The
reservoir that will be created win flood
the old Cody road into the Yellowstone
Park and il was therefore necessary to
construct another higher up The en-
gineers encounted solid granite all the
way. The report that on either side
Of the canyon Is found granite Of as
fine quality as that found anywhere
in the United States. A suspension
bridge was thrown across the top of the
canyon at the dam site and workmen
were let down to the riverbed by means
Of ropes and buckets precisely as they
would descend into a mine. Blocks Of
granite hewn from the sides Of the can
yon were used as base for the dam.
Behind the dam is the bed Of an Old
lake. formed before nature drilled out
the canyons with her immense glaciers
in prehistoric times. This will be food
ed again and it il estimated that, be-
sides enough water to irrigate every
available foot Of ground in the Big Horn
basin. The lake will occupy 10 square
miles and will average In depth about
100 feet.
The building Of the Shoshone dam was
derided a. a chimcrical project by engi-
neers ali over the world and. because
Of Che inaccessibility Of the site and the
rought character Of the country, the
work now stands as the best example
Of the American engineers motto, Moth
ing il impossible to the man Of courage
and resource
II Is estimated that the dam win cost
about S6.00a000 when completed, which
win make the cost Of water about s45
an acre.
The government win abandon its lot
terry scheme Of drawing for farms in the
unit opened for settlement this month,
Lots in the town Of Powell viii be sold
to the highest bidder on Monday. May
"a, and the farms in the surrounding
neighborhood viii be auetioned of on
Saturday, May %
All the railroads through this country
are making especially low rates this year
on account Of the Seattle exposition, and
the government officials are looking for
q large number Of settlers.
Dear old Democratic Simplicity is hav-
ing hard struggle at the White House.
Although he is introduced and voucher
for BY the President and Mrs. Taft. and
should therefore be eligible to mingle /
with the Very Best Society, he has been
reduced 70 the humiliating strait Of
struggling along By himself Society re-
fuses 70 mingle with him.
When Mr. and Mrs. Taft entered the 1
White House, it was their ambition gen
tly but firmly 10 restore life to the good !
old simplicity Of our forefathers The
uniformed policemen were banished from 1
the front door and two plain-faced negro I
servitors installed in their stead.
Mrs. Taft decreed that all the gold lace
and brass buttons should go, and the 4
president thoroughly agreed with Der
that the time was 0nportnne for The res +
toration Of the frill-Iess program Of the
fathers Of the republic When he held /
at the White House the presi.
dent would mix freely with his guests.
and there would be no Formally. He
would do away with the eilt.embroidered
officers who had been In the habit Of
grazing the functions with their presence
and everyone. himself included, should
be perfectly at ease
The prospect looked grand. Who could
possibly find any fault with itf But
alas and alaek- When the innovation
came to be tried. Social Washington
refused to open its arms. Mr.. Democrat
ic Simplicity got the coolest stare and
hardest Jolt Of his honorable career.
Don't be formal now words to
that efteet--exclalmed the president, MS
ing his most winning smile. Il want
you to feel at home. Enjoy yourselves,
and when you get tired Of the affair, or
have business that calls you elsewhere,
Just 70 ahead. Whatever you do, don't
beeformal.1
"Oh, no; we won't be formal replied
Social Washington with a sweet smile
md low bow; how perfectly lovely
If you, Mr.. President.
And thereupon society's back stiffened,
he air grew chill in the vicinity Of the
East Room, and the hearty laugh of the
president was the only one that could
Je heard. The president and Mrs. Taft
about among the throng and
Id their best to put everyone at his or
Ter ease, but the moment they appeared
within two yards Of any Of their guests,
he latter Strengthened up, looked scared, ],
ried to hide their hands, and began to
'oze cold perspiration.
The president and his wife were APP
and they did not know JUST
What to do. Their tongues refused 70
work, their brains suddenly became vac