The Washington times., 1923-06-29
OUST|NG Of j. s.
EXPERT TRES
ENGINEERS
Organization Says Naming OF
Business Man Endangers
Reclamation Work.

The whole scheme of reclamation
in the United States and it's terri
torial possessions may be endan'
gered by the substitution OF d. w.
Davis, Idaho business man, for
Arthur Powell Davis. noted technic-
list, in the post of director of the
Interior Departments reclamation
service, L. w. Wallace, secretary
of the Federated American Engin'
eering Societies, declared in a state
ment today.
The resignation Of the man who
served thirty-five years with great
success in this important position
and the assumption Of office by one
said to be unknown in the technical
world has caused the drawing OF
lines of battle between Secretary
Hubert Work and such bodies as
that represented by Wallace. His
protest, in fact, is the result OF
concurrent action between the the
federated group and the American
Society Of Civil Engineers.
Seeks to Explain.
At the same time, Edward C. Fin.
ney, Acting Secretary Of the de-
partment, has undertaken to. explain
the official status in the matter
which has proved storm center.
Mr.. Wallace's letter to Secretary
Work said, in part:
"The officers Of the Federated
American Engineering Societies, as
well as the officers and members of
many engineering and technical
groups, are much concerned with
the recent announcement relative to
the displacement Of the director of
the reclamation service: and appoint.
ing in his stead a man who appar-
emily is not technically fitted and
trained to direct an important tech.
nical service Of the Government. to
take effect within two weeks, will
undermine the morale Of all the
technical agencies of the Govern.
ment, and may lead the most conf
petent. men to more readily accept
engagements with commercial and
industrial agencies, thus interfering
with the efficient operations of the
technical bureaus of the Govern
ment.
''Such action as has taken place
regarding the reclamation service,
might be reasonably expected to
occur in other technical branches Of
the service, such as the bureau OF
mines, the bureau OF standards and
geological survey. One of the marked
tendencies of recent years has been
the placing of technical men in
charge of large industries and com
mercial enterprises. Therefore, the
step taken in connection with the
reclamation service is contrary to
the policy OF many industrial or
CARNATIONS.
Kept Expense Down.
I'VE got In D. w. Davis Act
ing Secretary Finney replied, to
keep expenses down and to get
from water users the money owed
the Government. ~
Mr.. Davis technical ability al
an engineer was very useful and
needful, while the reclamation work
was being organized. and actual
construction of big dams in the
western States, the Roosevelt, the
Elephant and the Shosone was
being carried out.
He performed useful service dur.
But the character of the work done
by the reclamation service has
changed; its principal work now 10
Of a business and administrative
rather than of a highly technical
character. 1t involves management
Of $134.O00 900 in going irrigation
projects. What it needs at this
stage is a business rather than q
technical exnert "
Arthur Powell Davis has been a
resident of Washington since 1893.
He has been connected with the In.
terror Department for nearly forty
years and is sixty.two years old.
Besides holding three degrees for
engineering studies, he is the auth or
of numerous works on photography
and irrigation. He was president
Of the American Society of Civil
in loon