Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-23
WILBUR DARES CANYON
PERILS INSPECTING SITE
OF BOULDER DAM
Continued From First Page,

power companies were not interested
in leasing power rights at the dam,
the Government would make the power
and sell 1t, either at the site or at
the end Of power lines.
Before beginning the trip, the Sec
rotary attended breakfast which in
augurated Las Vegas celebration of
the Boulder Dam legislation virtually
becoming law. Secretary Wilbur exc
planned to the citizens of the city near
est the dam site that President
Hoover's proclamation making the bill
effective had been delayed. probably
until Monday, pending report from
Attorney General Mitchell. He said
he saw no legal reason why the proc
1amation should not be issued, but the
President wished to be certain.
Commissioner Mead and Raymond r.
Walter, chief engineer OF the Reclama-
ton Bureau, already familiar with the
rugged canyon, pointed out to the
Secretary where the great concrete
wall will join the Black Cliffs together.
The dam will tower over 100 feet high
and will be approximately 800 feet from
cliff to cliff
It was more than a sightseeing trip
ranging from ITO to 40 degrees IN the
sun-and there wasn't any shade
Mead and Wilbur scrambled up over
the mountain side to locate the best
site for a permanent camp. It was
practically decided 10 locate the camp
just below where the dam will he.
The Union Pacific already has sur
veyed the railway line in from Las
Vegas, a distance Of 80 miles, and the
right Of way has been staked out. Wa
ter will be taken from the river, 8
the mountain.
May Build Camp Of Stone.
The Reclamation Commission and the
Secretary also decided in view of the
material available the camp probably
would be constructed of stone. The
houses will be built, covered with about
3 feet of dirt, for GOODNESS, and then
o tile roof placed over them.
Secretary Wilbur In declaring the new
policy for the Reclamation Bureau said
that IN his opinion the Government
should construct necessary projects
protect the investment with contracts
that would pay the money back into the
Treasury, and then withdraw.
The subject of water diversion, power
rates, flood control, taxes and bond Is
sues are primarily the concern Of the
States and the communities affected, he
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will not be the purpose of the Fedora
Government to become mixed up with
any disputes concerning. them.
In the case of Boulder Dam, how
ever, the question Of water diversion
concerns a number of States, he said
and the Government, through the in
terstate cc.-pact. q called upon TO &C
In q number Of instances. In thes'
instances, he declared, the Govern
DUnt viii take the course that appear
right"
Describes Project as Daring.
The Interior Department head de
scribed the proposed project ct Blacl
Canyon as zone of the most darin
human conceptions in history. Onl
modern engineering, backed by moderl
science, invention and courage, woul,
ever have dreamed of anything so noble
when the Government builds thes
great reclamation projects, it is givin
to certain communities what God al
ready has given to Others" he said
when it has done that, the time ha
come for the Government 70 with
draw from the picture"