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Show Inquiry Into the Reclamation Project EARNEST desire to learn the facts concerning the operations of the bureau of reclamation is evidently the paramount aim of the committee of special advisors on reclamation appointed recently by Secretary of the Interior Work. The committee In whole or In part has been In almost continuous session since assembling as-sembling for the first meeting on October Oc-tober 15, and has heard the testimony of a large number of Individuals, and has called constantly for reports and documents bearing on the Investigation. Investiga-tion. Tim results of this nrellniliurv such questions as whether they a well built, preliminary estimates cost, final estimates of cost, wheth they were built economically, opei tlon and maintenance costs, power velopments, and proposed extensions. The soils, climate, seepage, af drainage receive a special paragrap. with numerous subheads, calling for wide variety of data. a A paragraph of special Important relates to markets and transports, facilities, Including such questions id the charges for carrying products ie work have been crystallized into a "plan of Inquiry" relating to each project, both primary un'd secondary. That the Inquiry will be exhaustive Is Indicated by the following partial summary sum-mary of the plan: The large number of secondary projects investigated by the bureau to determine their feasibility head the list. The next section culls for an exhaustive ex-haustive historical statement concerning concern-ing the primary projects, including such topics as description of lands, history of construction, changes In original engineering plans and estimates, esti-mates, Increase In final cost due to such changes, ownership of land at time of opening, etc. The engineering structures are to be treated comprehensively, reporting on markets ana the prices or commoj ties shipped into the projects. iy One of the most Important secUr of the plan relates to the problems settlement, and the committee a for detailed information relating this subject, under such heads as size of the farm unit, the number a' acreage of homesteads entered ea year, the number of farms brought iw der cultivation, abandoned farms, nut6 of farms, tenantry, and the national1 education, and previous pursuits of t,u settler " The financial history of the settle, calls for special comment, the Inqur calling for Information ccncernl.,, financial aid available to the settle amount borrowed by them, failure meet government obligations, aeenn lated profits, and increase of values! , -T- |