The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1923-06-21
His Job as Director of Ser
vice is to be Abolished
First of July
CHANGE MAY AFFECT
r KENNEWICK VITALLY
Former Governor of Idaho
to be Named Commission.
er of Irrigation

J As rule kennewick is not directly
or vitality interested in the change in
policy or personnel of a government
department. The announcement, how
ever, that on July L, Arthur p. Davis,
is to be dropped as director of the
( U S. reclamation service strikes di-
rectly home to Kennewick. This is
particularly true because of the fact
that Director Davis now has under
consideration the application of the
board of directors of the Kennewick
Irrigation district for contract for
the construction of the Kennewick
Unit of the Yakima reclamation pro-
ject.
Director Davis is thoroly familiar
with the local project and on numer-
Gus occasions has shown that he re-
CARDS it as one of the most meritor-
ious that has been considered by the
government. What effect his dismis-
sal will have on the pending negotia-
tions between the local district and
the reclamation service cannot be
forecasted.
Mr.. Davis has been connected with
the reclamation service for 35 years
and for nine years as head of the
service. The first intimation of his
dismissal was an announcement Mon
day by DR.. Hubert Work, secretary
of interior that on July first the Of
fee of director will be abolished and
d. w. Davis, former governor of Ida
ho, will assume charge of the recla-
nation department with the title of
commissioner of irrigation.
In announcing the change the Yak
ina Daily Republic says:
Director Davis, during his long con-
nection with the reclamation service
has frequently visited the Yakima
projects and has repeatedly stated
that they afford the best illustration
of what may be accomplished by the
service. His interest in the Yakima
valley has been keen, and he is large
ly responsible for the fact that recla-
nation development, with the excep-
ton of the partial halt during the
World war, has been carried on con-
tinuously in this district since the
government first came in.
Secretary Work, in announcing his
new plans, also stated that the pro-
gram for the coming fiscal year
would be most comprehensive, entail
ing the examination of more than a
score of projects in dozen states.
1t is understood that this will include
a considerable amount of work in
the Yakima valley, especially in the
there are ready to go ahead as soon
district. Land owners
as money from the reclamation fund
is available.
Miles Cannon, former Yakima man
who was recently appointed field
of reclamation, is one
Of DR.. Works appointees and will un-
be retained in his position
to aid in carrying out the reorganiza-
ton plan. Mr.. Cannon, he said Sun
day, expects DIR. Work to visit the
Yakima valley this summer, probably
when President Harding and his par
ty return from their trip to Alaska
"Dr. Work assured me that he
would visit some Of the Northwestern
projects before returning
to Washington" Cannon said, "and it
would not be unlikely that he would
fail to visit the Yakima valley. Af-
ter all, there is no place where one
can realize the possibilities of iri-
cation development as quickly and
as comprehensively as in this section
The incoming commissioner of rec
lamation was formerly governor of
Idaho and was the first president of
the Western States Reclamation as
sociation, of which the Yakima Com
mercial club was one of the sponsors.
As president of this association he en-
deavored to interest eastern and mid
congressman in the cause
of reclamation and worked for the
of the smaller projects be-
fore any new work of great magni-
tude should be inaugurated.