Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-04-21
General Cocktails Reports That Co.
Iumbia Basin Can BE Re-
claimed by Gravity
System


1.-THE Columbia Basin project is as
mich a national one as were the Pan
ANA Canal and the Alaska railway
and will, if completed, add much
more to the national wealth than
either of the others mentioned. The
work should be provided for and car
ried out as we're these other two ma
tional projects-by direct appropria-
tion." declared Major General George
w Cocktails in his report made pub
lie last Saturday by d. A. Scott di-
rector of conservation and develop
ment. That the Columbia Basin prof.
ect by using a gravity supply from
the Pend O'Reille to reclaim nearly
100000 acres, is feasible from an
economic and engineering stand
pont and can be constructed in six
years for a total cost of 1854, no.,
951 or $145.56 per acre, is the con-
clusion reached by General Goethals,
after extended personal investigation
and study of the project.
Because of its larger area, greater
assurance and reliability of opera
ton and its smaller per acre cost,
General Goethals advises adoption of
the gravity system. It will, he says,
irrigate 1,753,000 acres by direct
flow with an additional $1,000 acres
that may be reached by a pumping
lift of less than $50 feet and $4,000
acres that may be utilized by pump
ing at slightly higher lifts. The
Columbia river pumping project, ac-
cording to the report, would irrigate
only 100000 acres at total cost
of $223,O96,943 to $241,487,258 de-
pending upon the type of proposed
dam construction, or a per acre cost
of S159.01 to $172.12.
Gravity Supply Best
"The annual operation and main
teuduCe COSI uHuSI the SldNlty ~
TEN is estimated at 48 cents per
acre as against $1.56 to $1.S6 per
acre under the pumping project"
says the report.
The report calls attention to the
many engineering difficulties to be
met with in lifting water 615 feet
by means of the Columbia river dam
and pumping plant. THE reliability
and simplicity of a direct gravity
flow of water are UNNECESSARILY SUI
perior to the complexity of operating
power and pumping plant with a
large number of turbines and pumps
which would be stressed higher than
any existing equipment of equal ca
pacity," says General Goethals.
The development of commercial
power is a question for the future"
ne continued. 1.-THE gravity project
offers power possibilities, but these
are not considered as affecting the
acre cost of irrigation. AS between
developing power in large quantities
al time when there seems little lik-
mood of its being absorbed, and the
gradual development of power to
meet demands as they arise, the lat
Ter is the more rational policy to
suopt, The gravity project, so far
as power possibilities are concerned,
Is therefore. the better"
The advisability of partial develop
meht of the project is adversely con-
4 adered in the report. Development
~one-half the area, or $4,000 acres,
would cost $1,000 per acre" says
'ue Goethals report. at will be
"eaper in the end so to lay out the
obstruction program as to bring
a'out simultaneous completion of the
u'He project rather than to develop
ue basin area partially first, and to
.uplete 1t subsequently. Temporary
'uctures would reduce the initial
. Out ultimately must be replaced,
auoing to its cost. which in any event
NC borne by the farmer. IL
Ems Ill advised in project of this
ISL enltude to resort to anything ex-
epl The completed project"
Prevent Exploitation
4 oSsiole exploitation of the settler
I'm me land is mentioned by General
Nh, 'nais. THE state of Washington
n.y.. undoubtedly take measures to
h. eat exploitation of the farmer"
a., sad Director D. A. Scott de-
,,na eu today that through the power
~ s"en MS department by the constitu-
prens auu The land settlement act he is
prsva ased to take necessary action to
isn't speculation and exploitation