THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



303 



understand the Government will sanction or assist us 

 to maintain. 



Consulting engineers have verbally expressed opin- 

 ions. "I see no reason why you can not include this 

 membership." "I guess the Government will take care 

 of you" (this latter in a manner implying conviction) 

 etc. As business men we want it stronger than a mere 

 guess, and we do not desire to plunge ourselves into 

 a controversy because some one "sees no reason why" 

 we will not be sustained. There might be reasons which 

 he does not see. 



Mr. Blanchard says in a general letter where a 

 probability exists that private enterprise will complete 

 an exploited project, it is not the purpose of the Re- 

 clamation Service to interfere. We believe Mr. Leav- 

 itt intends to build the farmers' canal. John E. Field, 

 the Government engineer in charge, professes not to 

 believe so and has insisted upon a reorganization of 

 the water users' association to commit it to the line 

 of his opinion. The secretary, which was his selection, 

 is noted mainly for his irrational antipathy to Mr. 

 Leavitt. 



Those who have had the temerity to criticise this 

 action of Mr. Field, I regret to say, have had their 

 motives impugned. They are accused of attempting to 

 discourage the Federal enterprise. I do not believe an 

 employe of the Federal Government is any less human 

 than the rest of us. I believe one is just as suscep- 

 tible of evil influences of human passions and preju- 

 dices and as prone to err, and criticism of executive 

 acts should not be interpreted as an assault upon the 

 majesty of the nation. If the particular executive re- 

 ferred to does not yet know, he has yet to learn that 

 Federal employment does not make a man infallible. 



Fortunately or unfortunately, we have here the 

 ultra contention, the Federal reclamation and private 

 enterprise. There is not in all the contemplated proj- 

 ects of any other locality so large a body of land sus- 

 ceptible of irrigation at moderate cost. The good busi- 

 ness men and farmers of this locality with no ulterior 

 motive save public welfare, have, since the inauguration 

 of the work, sought to have each of the projects go for- 

 ward with as little friction as possible. The work has 

 been difficult for the reason that each of the interests 

 have been too arrogant. Such position might be ex- 

 cused from the point of private enterprise, for it has 

 natural desires for increased power and profit. But 

 a Federal representative needs a developed power of 

 repression, he should be comprehensive, firm and just, 

 and while he is human, he should have strength to con- 

 trol his animosity, and not indulge in acts or expres- 

 sions which might give appearance of personal venom. 

 For instance, he should not call the "Tri- State Company 

 the "Tri-Bluff Company," for our national dignity 

 should demand of a Federal employe fair treatment and 

 respectful comment when mentioning the humblest per- 

 son or corporation in the nation. Whether in the right 

 or wrong, these journeymen make up the composite of 

 our glorious unity. We land the American inspiration 

 that impels the Federal servant to seek to make his 

 work as great and grand as possible, we cheer examples 

 of aggression which push forward Federal work with 

 great rapidity, and we regret the tendency of some to 

 take offense at these suggestions from us minions of 

 the populace. But not so much do we regret as to de- 

 ter us from our duty to our own community. 



In any event I know one unit in the North Platte 

 valley who will as fearlessly commend or criticise a 

 reclamation personality or principle as he will an atti- 

 tude of any corporation. If he displeases both he will 

 not fall for he is now upon the ground. First he will 

 make his arguments with those who offend his sense 

 of justice or do violence to his deliberate judgment, 

 and if unavailing there, the offenders will hear from 

 him through press and other avenues until he exhausts 

 his ingenuity. And this one knows the needs of west 

 Nebraska, knows it soil and climate, productive capacity 

 and what is necessary to its progress to the acme of per- 

 fection requisite for the maximum number of pastoral 

 domiciles. 



THE NORTH-WESTERN LINE CHICAGO 

 TERMINALS. 



A descriptive pamphlet with large scale map of 

 its extensive and complete terminal facilities at Chicago 

 has been prepared by the Chicago & North-Western 

 Railway. This will be of interest to the industrial con- 

 cerns located on these terminal lines, and more es- 

 pecially to those seeking new sites with adequate rail- 

 way conveniences. Send for free copy to Industrial De- 

 partment, C. & N. W. R'y, Chicago, 111. 



- 8 '/IPPROX 



H 



Fig. 3. Flume and Brush Guards for Wheel on Grand Valley Canal, Colorad 



