Las Vegas age. [volume] (Las Vegas, Nev.) 1905-1947, 1929-12-03
STEPS TAKEN TO ADD
NEARLY 100 TO BUREAU
STAFF OF TECHNICIANS
Civil Service Examination Will Be Given Soon
To Determine Personnel of Added Help:
Bureau Actively Engaged Preparing For
Construction Says Wilbur in His Report

A significant indication of the de-
finiteness of the plans of the fed
eral government looking toward
construction OF Boulder dam is the
fact that steps have been taken to-
ward enlarging the Denver techni-
cal staff of the Bureau Of Reclama-
ton by nearly hundred persons,
according TO the annual report OF
Director ElWoCd Mead.
To handle the technical work Of
that Office in connection with this
great undertaking nearly a hundred
additional employees will be needed.
Civil service examinations, to be
conducted in the near future, will
determine the personnel Of this add
ed staff.
The bureau has been actively en-
gagged in preparing for the work OF
construction. funds for which are
contingent upon the entering into
of contracts for the sale Ul1f1ower
sufficient to return the cost OF the
work within so years. with interest
at the rate of 4 per cent" says Sec
retary of the Interior Wilbur in
his annual report, d copy of which
was received yesterday by the Age,
Transportation Planned
Numerous conferences were held
with officials OF the Union Pacific
system to evolve the most feasible
scheme for rail facilities to the
dam site. A site for the con5truc-
ton camp has been selected, and
plans are being perfected for the
health and comfort OF the work
men during the period OF conStruc-
ton
Regarding the construction OF the
dam itself, the Denver Post recent
X quoted Mead as saying in part:
AS the dam will be under con-
strucUion over period OF elght
wears at the bottom OF a marrow
CANYON. where the heat in sum-
mer is intense, considerable thought
is being given to making suitable
provision for the health and COM
fort OF the Workmen," he advises
wilbur. the camp site has been
located where it will have the ad-
vantage of the prevailing winds,
The BUILDINGS will be OF a perma-
nent type, suitable TO climatic con :
ditions and capable Of housing from
? 600 to 4.O0O persons. about 1000
Of whom will be employed on the
work.
plans are being made for the
construction OF a refrigeration plant
and for a domestic water supply
which will be pumped 1000 feet
from the Colorado river. Elevators
with a lift OF 1000 feet, will carry
emploves to and from their work
in the canyon"
Canal Discussed
Concerning the all-Amerlcan ca
nal, Secretary Wilbur's annual re-
port SAYS, III part:
"A contract was entered into with
the Imperial irrigation district ana
the Coachella Valley county water
district. which provides for maxi
mum expenditure of 100000. pay
able equally by the United States
and the two districts, under winch
the bureau has placed force ol
men in the field to make the neceS-
sarv surveys and Investigations TO
determine definitely the location
and estimated cost of the proposed
aIl-American canal. When complet-
ed. this canal would do away with
the present canal serving the I'M
perial Valley of California and run
ming for 60 miles through Mexican
territory"
The policy of the Department ol
Interior in regard to hydroelectrlc
power is set forth in the annual
report as follows:
HydrOelectrlc Power
This department encounters hy-
droelectric- power problems in two
capacities; first. in its administra-
tion of reclamation projects and
Boulder dam; and. second, by rea-
son of the secretary's position or
The Federal Power commission. AS
to the latter class, the activities OF
the department will be directed to-
ward hearty cooperation with th'
power commission. AS to the former
class policy will be followed which
will insulate the United States a.
completely as may be from inter
ference with local interests and reg
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