Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-28
NEWELL TALKS OF
FLOOD PROBLEMS
Former Head Of Reclamation Serv.
ice Tells Drainage Congress
How to Get Results.
THREE PLANS ARE PRESENTED

CAIRO, ILL.,. Jan. Embarrassing
Federal Legislation" F. II. Newell.
head OF the engineering department
Of the University Of Illinois and
former chief OF the United States re-
clamstion service. today told the
Sixth National Drainage congress. in
session here. that national legisla-
ton for flood protection and the re-
clamation Of swamp and overlooked
lands will come when all Of the vari-
Gus persons interested join hands to
urge it upon congress. lie said in
part:
"A hundred million dofnrs. in round
numbers have been expended by the
United States In reclamation work since
the reclamation act went into effect. Tho
operations are confined by law TO the
far western states and relate primarily
Ia needs OF agriculture In the arid or
drought stricken regions. Inseparably
connected with this. however. has been
the building OF drainage bitches to take
away an excess OF moisture and TO rogu-
late the supply.
Uaited Action Gets Results.
Vow the question may we'll be asked
as to why this act was not made apple
able to lands which presented even
creator needs and opportunities. namely.
those along the principal rivers In the
central part Of tho United states or near
the eastern soaboard.
The answer IL two-foid First. the
primary reason was the original intent
10 reclaim public lands by means OF the
proceeds from the disposal Of such lands.
and. second. because OF the united effort
OF the far-wcstern people IN standing
together for a definite purpose. II IL
obvious that little or nothing can be
accomplished except by concerted action.
Conditions are now similar TO those
which prevailed before the passage Of
the reclamation or Eewlands act few
far-seeing. earnest men were then ac-
lively at work, but the great body OF tho
so-called practical politicians we're skep-
teal regarding the importance OF the
bill.
Orea nisatfoa is AveftabIe.
''rhe federal government already has IN
the reclamation service an effective or
RAnizatioa of engineers who have built
some OF the largest works OF water con-
troll IN the country. II also has In the
department OF Agriculture n body OF ex-
pert advisors on farm drainage and on
the work OF drainage organization and
districts II would not require much
effort to bring them together and to
make doubly effective the experience al
ready gained. II IL appreciation OF this
that has Induced Senator Newlsnds to
push forward a second great bill for
reclamation ana conservation which he
has been advocating since 1902. designed
10 bring about better cooperation among
governmental and other agencies and to
provide a buslness-liko procedure by
which work on the rivers can be taken
up in an orderly manner.
Whether the pending Newiands bill In
all It's broad scope IL finally adopted, or
the moro direct provisions OF the Clark
Williams bill prepared through the eff
forts Of this erganization). we should
fully appreciate and utilize the incsti-
nable advantage OF the prccedents at
forded by the reclamation act and its
ainendments
Three Distiaet Proportions.
This congress has before Il three dis
tlncs. though closely related proposi-
tons for national or cooperative effort.
First. the Clark williams bill
Second. the moro general and snelu-
slve Newlands bill.
Third. tn commission plan. This isst
was Initiated by President Roosevelt in
HIS appointment OF the inland waterway
commission IN 1907. which was followed
by the national waterways commission
IN 1912 This procedure u IN tho line
81 continued Investigation and is opposed
a - ~ sasl4 t.nll fhnf
The time has arrived for action