
Figure 15.—U.S. GeoLtocicaL Survey camp at Embudo, N. Mex., from 1888-89. Note Colo- 
Frederick H. Newell, the chief of the 
rado-type current meter held at center of group. 
party, stands, profile to camera, in the back row, holding a leveling rod. (Photo courtesy of 
U.S. Geological Survey.) 
The act of Congress under which the Irrigation 
Survey had been created was interpreted by Major 
Powell as calling for a relatively quick reconnaissance 
of a huge area (some 1,300,000 square miles) of arid 
public lands and a subsequent report to Congress on 
the extent and location of the particular parcels on 
which irrigation appeared to be practicable and 
economical. As soon as the report was delivered, the 
purpose of the act was to have been accomplished, and 
any stream-gaging programs started under it would 
terminate automatically. Such being the circum- 
stances, Newell found it necessary to write the follow- 
ing advice to all of the hydrographers in the Irrigation 
Survey on August 22, 1890: 
The Conference Committee finally came to an agree- 
ment yesterday. The bill provides (only) $325,000 for 
topography, one-half of which is to be expended west of 
the 101st meridian. By this, the Irrigation Survey is 
brought to a close as far as the engineering and hydro- 
graphic divisions are concerned. 
The hydrographers then turned over their equipment, 
mules, and horses to the nearest topographic field 
PAPER 70: WILLIAM GUNN PRICE AND THE 
PRICE CURRENT METERS 
parties and either sought new employment or were 
Newell 
was one of those retained in the Survey’s employ. 
assigned to other duties in the Survey. 
Except for a few special incidents, no stream- 
gaging activities were carried on by the Geological 
Survey for several years. Newell’s salary was paid 
out of topographic funds, but his major activities 
appear to have been associated with exploiting as 
many of such special incidents as he was able to bring 
to light. A crisis occurred when Major Powell 
announced that he would resign as director of the 
Geological 1894, 
Doolittle Walcott, who in 1907 became Secretary 
Institution, 
continuing hydro- 
Survey on June 30, Charles 
of the Smithsonian succeeded him. 
He found no justification for 
graphic work out of the meager funds then available 
to the Survey and regretfully informed Newell to that 
effect. Newell, faced with the prospect of seeking 
a new job, made a determined effort to preserve 
his old job by promoting the enactment by Congress 
of a special appropriation of funds solely for stream- 
gaging purposes, a difficult undertaking since the 
in 
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