RECLAIMING THE DESERT 169 



The act having assigned to the Geological Sur- 

 vey the duty of organizing the new service, Dr. 

 Charles D. Walcott placed beginnings in charge of 

 Frederick H. Newell as Chief Engineer. Five years 

 later, in 1907, the Reclamation Service was created 

 with Dr. Newell as Director. In 1913 a Board of 

 Control was organized with Dr. Newell as Director 

 and Arthur P. Davis as Chief Engineer. In 1914, the 

 offices of Director and Chief Engineer were merged 

 in Mr. Davis. In 1915 the Board was superseded 

 by a Commission of three under Mr. Davis. In 

 1918, the Commission lapsed, Mr. Davis remaining 

 alone as Director and Chief Engineer. In 1923 Sec- 

 retary Work abolished the office and title of Director 

 and created the Bureau of Reclamation under D. W. 

 Davis as Commissioner, who was followed by Dr. 

 Elwood Mead. 



In 1923, Secretary Work appointed a Commit- 

 tee of Special Advisers on Reclamation consisting 

 of Thomas E. Campbell, formerly Governor of Ari- 

 zona, Dr. John A. Widtsoe, former President of the 

 University of Utah, Oscar E. Bradfute, President 

 of the National Farm Bureau Federation, Clyde C. 

 Dawson, authority on irrigation law, James R. Gar- 

 field, former Secretary of the Interior, and Dr. El- 

 wood Mead, Commissioner of Reclamation. 



Those experienced in public administration will 

 recognize this history of constant investigation and 

 change as significant of efforts to develop efficiency 

 out of conditions and complications not clearly un- 



