376 THE WORK OF THE RECLAMATION SERVICE. 



where the Government coiikl go in Avith a free liand, take the nnutil- 

 ized waters, buikl the works withont impediment, and divert the 

 water to public hind, the problem wonld be very simple. On the con- 

 trary, the reclamation service must first ascertain, often at great ex- 

 pense and after a long delay, the fact as to whether there is any water 

 not yet appropriated, and whether it is possible to establish a legal 

 claim to this water. It must then endeavor to get a clear title to the 

 sites for its hydraulic works, as most of these commanding positions 

 have already been seized by speculators. The owners of small tracts 

 scattered here and there through pul)lic lands must be organized into 

 water-users' associations in order that they may be dealt with on a 

 business basis. The building of the works is relatively a simple mat- 

 ter compared to the solution of many of these problems, which require 

 that the engineers shall be at the same time business men and that 

 they may have the assistance of shrewd and able lawyers and finan- 

 ciers. 



Among the most difficult matters to be determined is the relation 

 between private enterprise and the operations of the reclamation serv- 

 ice. It must be l^orne in mind at all times that practically all of the 

 irrigation development of the West has been carried on by individ- 

 uals or associations, and that while most of the easily constructed 

 works have been bnilt, there are others which are still attractive to 

 the promoter. In nearly every locality where there are opportunities 

 of reclaiming ]5u])lic lands on a large scale, it also happens that there 

 is something which may be made a source of profit to a shrewd 

 investor. 



It may be said, generally speaking, that no large irrigation work 

 has been financially successful. It has frequently been pointed out 

 that all irrigation works may be divided into two classes, roughlv 

 designated as large and small. The small works or ditches built by 

 farmers or associations of settlers have, almost without exception, 

 been successful in every res23ect. The large enterprises, where stock 

 and l)onds have been sold and capital brought in from the East or 

 from foreign countries, have, almost without exception, proved finan- 

 cially unprofitabl(> and have had a long and involved history of dis- 

 appointment and occasional bankruptcy. Nevertheless, in spite of 

 this almost universal experience, there are still optimistic individuals 

 who plan to avoid all failures of tlie past and prei)are glowing ])ros- 

 pectuses of new enter})rises which it is alleged, if properly mani])u- 

 lated, will bring large returns to investors. As soon as the (Jovern- 

 ment shows an interest in auy })arti('ulai' locality some energelic pro- 

 moter at once concludes that there may be sonietliing there which may 

 be of value to hiuiself. If it shoidd be decided that a project must bf' 

 stopped as soon as any private iii((M-(>st of this kiiul is encountered, 

 the work of the reclamation service would soon come to a halt. 



