The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1923-08-29

1
into the operation of existing recla-
nation projects and in the construc.
| tion of new projects is contained In
tentative policy adopted by the rec.
| lamation bureau of the department
of the interior for the future.
Made public by Secretary of the
| Interior Work this tentative policy
| calls upon all project managers and
engineers of the bureau to bring
| about the greatest possible efficiency
both In assisting the farmers in se-
| lecting, raising and marketing OF
their crops and in reducing the cost
of building new irrigation works. An
outline of proposed policy follows:
Existing Projects
Reduced overhead costs.
Deal with projects and water users
as an engineering and business prob
lem.
Encourage subdivision of large
holdings into small farms, when bet
ter farming will follow.
Encourage and assist farmers to
diversity and rotate their crops.
Aid in securing creameries, sugar
factories, and other Industries within
or near the project limits to the end
that ready and profitable market
for the products of the farm may at
all times exist and be available.
Cooperate with the farmers in the
packing. handling. shipping and mar
keting of their products to the end
always, that the maximum of return
with the minimum of expense may
come to the farmers.
Impress on water users the idea
that the government money advanc-
ed for the construction of these pro-
jects was temporarily for their bene-
fit In the nature of a loan without
interest.
New Projects
The west demands and should
have additional reclamation projects
where and when feasible.
Recommend against any new pro-
ject where the cost is so high that
there is no reasonable probability OF
farmers being able to repay construc-
tion costs. Such action will advance
and not retard meritorious reclama-
tion projects.
Recommend against any new pro-
jects where the probable cost of op
Grafton and maintenance, through
pumping or otherwise, will be too
heavy a burden for tho water users
to carry annually.
Make not only engineering studies
of proposed projects, but studies of
soil, climate. and markets, including
kinds of fruit, grains, or other crops
which the soil and climate will per-
NIT to be grown profitably.
Make careful study of probable an
nual cost of operating and maintain
ing a project when built, including
cost of drainage systems.
II the project is undertaken see to
IL that cost of construction is accur-
ately calculated. so that when the
work Is completed an unexpected and
unestimated burden does not rest
upon the water users because of Hn
derestimated construction cost.
In brief. establish a real, actual
and helpful working cooperation with
the farmer to aid him in every phase
and aspect of production and market.
ing Of crops.
1t would appear that all govern
ment irrigation projects should be
put under the control of the water
users at the earliest possible moment
Secretary of the Interior Work has
also addressed the following com.
munication to James H. Dunlap, Sec.
retary of the American Society OF
Civil Engineers. New York City, In
reply to a request for information
regarding recent changes in the per.
sonnel Of the bureau of reclamation:
Your courteous inquiry of June
27, reply to which; has been delayed
because of my absence from tn,
states. requires more than a categori
cal answer.
THE reclamation law, providing
for the construction and operation o.
irrigation projects, mentions no of
ficial. but places the entire burdeI
and responsibility of administering
the law and of carrying out its pur
poses upon the secretary of the In