The engineers of the reclamation service are, in effect, the advisers of the Secretary of the Interior in the great work of reclaiming the arid lands of the West. They are to obtain facts as to the cost and advisability of various projects and to submit these with recommendations for the construction of certain selected works. The attempt has been made to secure the best engineering experience available and to bring into the subordinate positions in the corps young, well-trained men, competent to carry on field work economically and rapidly. The positions are filled by competitive civil-service examinations. Each district engineer prepares plans and estimates for reclamation work along the rivers under his charge, these being submitted to the consulting engineers for examination and criticism. If approved, the reports are forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior with recommendations for immediate construction.

In making these recommendations to the Secretary, the relative importance of the work is considered, as well as the economy of construction, the cost of reclamation, the character of the land, and all other facts which bear upon the feasibility and probability of bringing about the settlement and thorough cultivation of the reclaimed area. The prime requisite is that prosperous homes may be made upon the irrigated lands. At present the projects are all large and expensive, as most of the smaller reclamation schemes have either been constructed by private enterprise or can be so constructed if left for this purpose.

Actual settlement and cultivation of the reclaimed lands is required by the terms of the law, and there is little, if any, possibility of speculation, since the individual who takes up the land must live on it five years and can acquire complete title only after all payments for water are made. The cost of the works is ultimately refunded, and the money thus returned to the Treasury can be used over again for building other works.

Of the various projects now under consideration, one, in Nevada, is actually under construction. Others are at a point where the specifications and form of contract are nearly ready for submittal to the Secretary. Many projects have been examined and condemned or laid aside for future action. The careful survey and examination necessary to determine the feasibility of these projects necessarily consume time, but all friends of the work are willing and desirous that ample time should be taken to ascertain all the facts and to avoid mistakes. With a wellorganized engineering corps actively in the field at work and construction closely following the determination of the essential facts, it will be possible to bring under irrigation, before many years. considerable areas of lands now vacant and useless. The creation from these desert tracts of homes for hundreds of families will make a

wonderful change in the western part of our country, and will create in it a higher standard of living and of citizenship.

The object of this meeting, and, in fact, of all such conferences and all inspections, is to learn how to do things. The duty of an engineer has been stated to be that of accomplishing for one dollar what the ordinary man does for two or more or does not do at all. In private affairs this doing of things rapidly and accurately is difficult in itself, but under governmental regulations the accomplishing of results economically and efficiently requires more skill and forethought, owing to the many necessary checks and requirements of law. The resources of the Government offer wonderful opportunities, but these magnificent facilities for work on a large scale are in part offset by exacting and intricate requirements. In our work we must have not merely good engineers, but men who can and will study the reasons and underlying principles of national law, and who can skillfully guide and direct affairs, meeting all requirements directly and accurately.

It must be borne in mind that the success of the reclamation service depends not only on good engineering work, but also on the constant exercise of sound judgment and of tact in dealing with what may be called the human or social problems. The physical side offers great difficulties to the engineer, but these frequently become less detrimental to ultimate success than the conditions arising from human agencies.

Everything depends on unity and continuity of purpose and of action and the creation of an esprit de corps, or what may be expressed as the holding of a unity of ideals by the entire body of men engaged in the work.

The supervising and district engineers and chiefs of parties should inculcate in the younger men the comprehension that success is dependent largely upon ability to carry out the purpose of the work without minute instructions. Every man must have clearly in mind the object of the work, and be prepared to exercise good judgment in producing the desired end. The ability to accept responsibility and accomplish results is the principal factor to be considered in advancing each man. At the same time there must be a proper observance of rules and regulations in order to conform to essential requirements, but it must be remembered that the strict observance of rules is never an adequate substitute for good judgment.

In this general discussion it is desired to take up first matters relating to the personnel and the relation of the men to one another; next the organization, its strength and limitations; then the appointment of committees and other matters; next the work by committees; then the consideration of the reclamation law, the policy which has been outlined, and the relation to the public in general.

PERSONNEL OF THE SERVICE.

In the work authorized by the reclamation law, opportunities are offered for achieving some of the grandest results conceivable by the human mind, viz, the utilization of the resources of nature and the creation thereby of thousands of prosperous homes throughout an arid region. It is not necessary to dwell upon this matter, but at this time it is sufficient to call attention to the fact that the accomplishment of this great work necessitates the creation and organization of a thoroughly well-equipped body of men. The Secretary has thought fit to intrust this work to the Director of the Geological Survey, and he in turn has authorized the formation of a corps of engineers and experts as one of the parts of the hydrographic branch of that Survey.

The rules and precedents governing the Geological Survey are, it is believed, among the best of those of any Government bureau. There is an elasticity about the organization which enables individual development, and there is a constant attempt made to conduct affairs on purely business principles, and yet with scientific care and accuracy. It is without doubt an honor to be a member of the Geological Survey, and it is hoped that the high standard that has prevailed in that corps of scientific workers will be maintained and advanced in the reclamation service.

Every effort should be made to attain the highest possible efficiency in every branch of the work. The men who come into the regular force of the reclamation service do so through competitive civil-service examination. It must not be supposed, however, that a man who passes the examination and is appointed has met the only requirement. This is but the beginning; and no man should be retained in the service who does not keep up to the standard set. It has been found desirable, from time to time, to intimate to various men who have civil-service appointments that they are not performing their duties in the best manner possible and that unless marked improvement is seen in their work their resignations will be accepted. This hint has generally been sufficient.

It should be borne in mind at all times that we can not be satisfied with men who are simply "good enough." If a man is mediocre or takes only a perfunctory interest in his work, this fact should be clearly stated and he should be induced to seek employment elsewhere. This applies particularly to the younger men who are just entering the service. It is sometimes the very best kindness to them, as well as a duty to the organization, to show them that employment in this service means efficiency and devotion to work.

During the past year or two the papers of several hundred men have passed through my hands, and I have talked with many of these

or have had correspondence with them. A great many people endeavor to enter the Government service, and some of them have extremely curious notions regarding the work and what is required of them. It

is difficult to convince some of these people that the Government service demands that the best business principles must be followed, and that every effort is being made to find out the ability of each man and give him recognition accordingly. Indorsements or importunities from any source other than those of a strictly business character are not needed, and may be detrimental, especially if employment is sought on political grounds. No considerations of sentiment, religion, or politics should have any weight, but each man should be judged solely by his character, ability, and physique.

There is a special provision in section 10 of the civil-service law (approved January 16, 1883), regarding recommendations by members of Congress. This is frequently overlooked by persons who have the mistaken idea that they may be appointed or advanced by the use of influence from this direction. It reads as follows:

That no recommendation of any person who shall apply for office or place under the provisions of this act which may be given by any Senator or Member of the House of Representatives, except as to the character or residence of the applicant, shall be received or considered by any person concerned in making any examination or appointment under this act.

There are also men who desire a position on the reclamation service for the advertising it may bring them and with the hope of obtaining through it occasional outside employment as specialists. It has been found wise to require that each man connected with the Geological Survey or its branches shall devote all of his energies to the work for which he is engaged and to abstain from any other occupation for which he will receive remuneration. In short, his entire time and energies should be devoted to advancing the work on which he is engaged.

Great care must be taken in the case of new men to see that they are physically able to endure the work. A number of well-educated and experienced men have fallen out on account of lack of physical strength. In one or two instances men have been transferred without specific inquiry into this matter, and considerable expense and annoyance to the service and to the friends of these men have resulted, as they have developed sickness when far away from medical treatment or means of transportation.

The opinion seems to be prevalent that if a sick man or one partly well can only get employment in a Government party he will have opportunity for rest and recovery. This is true particularly as to persons afflicted with consumption, many of whom have sought in every possible way to get employment in the arid West. In a few instances such men, apparently in good health, have become attached

to field parties, but the hardships have been too severe, and they have succumbed. While we have pity for such unfortunate cases, we can not encumber the field work by employing these men, nor can we afford to run risks of injury to them or to others.

Great care must also be exercised concerning men of another class, who are trying to get into the reclamation service. These are young college students or graduates, who merely desire summer occupation or an outing. A number of such men have been obtained through civilservice certification, and after they had been transported to different points they have stated that they did not intend to continue in the work and have gone elsewhere. Attempt is made to ascertain in advance whether each new man intends to remain indefinitely with the service; but if men who are restless or who change their minds are employed, it is desirable to get rid of them as soon as possible in order not to waste money on their education. Much of the investigation being carried on has high educational value, and the men who are thus trained should be retained as far as possible for the future work of the service.

Occasionally a man has been found to be good, but not worth the salary paid. In such a case recommendation should be made for its reduction to the amount which he is actually worth, and opportunity should be given for him to work up if he shows capacity and energy. On the other hand, if a man receiving a low salary shows unmistakable evidence of skill and administrative ability his promotion should be recommended.

Attempts should be made to impress upon all of the men in the service not only the necessity of good work, economically conducted, but also the importance of keeping up appearances, both personally and as to the camp. A field suit of khaki can be obtained at a small price, and the men should be encouraged to wear these suits whenever praeticable and to avoid a slouchy, ragged, or untidy appearance. Similarly, the camps should be arranged in an orderly manner, the tents placed symmetrically, and the spaces between the tents kept in a neat condition. It requires no particular outlay of time and money to preserve good appearances, and these have a reflex action upon the work. Accuracy, economy, and neatness are usually coordinate.

It must be remembered that the general public judge largely from outward appearances, and that each man is, to a certain extent, responsible for the others and carries the reputation of the entire service in his hands. Many things which he might properly do were he working for himself he can not do as a member of an engineering corps; he must at all times remember that he is a part of an organization of which the whole may be judged by that part.

A phrase has been suggested here which is peculiarly applicablethat is, the necessity of good "team play." Each man is one of the