The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1913-11-21

Through r. II. NeWell, cnleI OI
the U. S. reclamation service,
Uncle Sam has to date spent more
than eighty million dollars carry
ing forward reclamation projects
in the west. This money has
been expended on Is great reser-
voirs. 1866 miles of canals, and
otherwise in building up an irri-
cation system that is the wonder
of the world.
''The reclamation SERVICE" said
Mr.. Newell, us the instrument of
the federal government in Great
ing homes in parts Of the country
that would be otherwise waste.
It makes possible the develop
ment of a civilization within the
desert areas where the climate
is favorable for the best develop
ment of plants and animals, but
where nature has neglected to
supply the one essential Of water.
The government, working thru
the reclamation service, is supply
ing this one lack and thus making
available for human use the Won
derful factors of sunlight and
soil which otherwise would go un-
used.
ITO bring about these results
it has already expended upward
of $sO,O00, 600 in building large
reservoirs in the mountains to
hold the flood waters and in con-
structing thousands of miles of
eanals to distribute this water to
the dry lands. Some of these ca
mails must pass through country
where it is necessary to pierce
rocky ridges in order to keep the
water on a gently flowing grade.
In some cases to bring rivers from
pne valley across to another tun-
ncls are built under the noun
tains. There have thus been built
22miles Of tunnels, many OF them
large enough to carry whole riv-
eys, and most Of them cement
lined. Sometimes the canals must
cross depressions, and there great
fumes, usually of iron or con-
erete, must be constructed; or,
sometimes, the water is allowed
to flow down in a great pressure
pipe under the intercepting val
ley, coming up on the other side.
Bridges must also be built and
almost innumerable other struct-
ures to control and measure the
water.
"Thus there have already been
built rs reservoirs with an aggre-
gate capacity of 4,9S3,S 80 acre
feet-that is, sufficient water to
cover 1888, $40 acres one foot
deep. The service has built 1866
miles Of canals, its excavations
of rock and earth amounting to
95, 600, 900 cubic yards; it has built
CTS miles of road, most of which
are in a country heretofore inac-
cessible; it has in operation more
than 1900 miles of telephone
lines; it has also built and is ope-
rating railroads and power plants.
Water is now available through
the CANAL systems constructed for
i, 228, 900 acres of land in 26, 900
farms. 1t is estimated that as
result of the activities of this bu-
reau more than 35. 900 people have
been established in homes in the
west.
THE mere planning and build
ing of these structures, however,
is but the beginning of the work.
In addition there are innumerable
legal points and controversies to
be settled, because there is not
enough water for every one, and
where the water laws are incom-
plete, and where each man is try
ing to claim and hold all the wat
er he can, there necessarily arise
innumerable claims which must
be settled before the construc-
ton can be a success.
The consideration continually
in mind is that Of securing to
each man who is actually culti-
waiting the soil a suitable amount
of water at the proper time. The
attitude of Secretary Lane, ex-
pressed in many of his public
statements, is that his interest is