F. H. Newell

“ By these means the Reclamation Service has been gradually built up in the Hydrographic Branch of the Geological Survey, until now it includes about 250 engineers of various grades and classes, including men of wide experience in constructing and consulting capacities.
Young men, graduates from technical schools of good repute, are admitted for examination to the lowest positions and designated as hydrographic aids. As they demonstrate their ability and gain experience they are advanced to the position of assistant engineer, and finally to that of engineer. ”

“ In the two and a half years which have elapsed since the passage of the act the conditions in the west have been thoroughly considered, and already funds have practically been allotted to the more important and beneficial projects. The work has not only been on a large scale, but it has been necessary to establish many important precedents and to create institutions which are designed to last for centuries. ”

“ The service is organized on such a basis that the responsibilities are directly placed, and in matters of judgment the advice of consulting engineers and experts can be had.
The operations of the reclamation service began with a reconnoissance of the entire arid and semi-arid regions. The maps prepared by the topographic branch of the Geological Survey are utilized and the geologic facts which bear upon the occurrence of water above or underground are considered. In fact, every branch of scientific research
Driveway at Phoenix, Arizona. ”

“ It is significant of modern times to find the engineers and scientific men taking a larger and larger part in the executive business of the world, and bringing to it the training of the technical school and laboratory, as distinguished from that of the counting-house or lawyer's office. ”

“ It is not possible to give with precision the acreage or cost, as there are almost innumerable contingencies, and it has not been considered wise to delay in order to ascertain with great exactness all the conditions which may be met. ”

“ These works are carefully planned and the designs and specifications are passed upon by boards of engineers thoroughly familiar with the subject. When a district engineer, that is to say an engineer in charge of the operations in a drainage basin, has brought his work to a point where it can be passed upon, a project board is convened, the members of which have had broad experience in designing and constructing under similar conditions, and who already know the essential local facts from personal observation. ”

“ For example, the acreage to be reclaimed may be more or less dependent upon legal conditions or land titles to be secured, and the area will also be modified when a more complete knowledge has been obtained acre by acre of the reclaimable lands.
In the column headed 'allotment' is given either the amount of money set aside by the order of the secretary, or the restricted fund, so called, which is to be expended in each state according to the feasibility of the project found. ”

“ Immediately upon the passage of the Reclamation Act the secretary of the interior authorized the director of the Geological Survey to utilize the services of the men who had been studying the subject, and to add to their number from time to time other experienced men, selection being made from competitive civil service examination. ”

“ Washington.—The Palouse project is for the reclamation of arid lands near Pasco, by storage in Washtucna reservoir. Possibly 100,000 acres, mainly in private ownership, can be reclaimed at a cost of $35 per acre.
Wyoming.—The Shoshone project is for the reclamation of 100,000 acres of public land in the Big Horn Basin, north of Shoshone River. Water will be stored and diverted at a cost of $25 per acre.
Most of the systems for irrigating land depend wholly upon the gravity supply of water, but in a number of localities it will be necessary to use pumps. ”