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Show 12 OOMXISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. . July 16, 1900, the Department directed Inspector Graves to pro-ceed to the Pima Indian Reservation to ascertain the feasibility of a limited system of irrigation by the construction of nec-essary ditches to take the water for the use of the Pima Indiana from the reservoir proposed by the Geological Surrey on the San Carlos Reservation or elsewhere along the Gila River, in the event that Congreas shall hereaftef provide for ite construc-tion, * * * and prepare plans and specifications, with estimates of cost, of such ditches as may be necessary for limited irrigation, and can be built for an expendi-tare not exceedinp: the sum stated. September 12, Inspector Graves reported that to prepare plans, specifications, and estimates of cost that would be in any way reliable and accurate for any system of ditches that would be extensive enough to cost $30,000, would require a very careful reconnaissance and an instrumental survey, which would consume several months and neces-sihte the services of a properly equipped party of surveyors. He also stated that even if the reservoir proposed shoulhbe constructed it would be impracticable, except at enormous.cost, to convey the water from any one of the proposed reservoirs through a ditch to the reser-vation, and that it would be useless to construct any system of ditches that could not be put to immediate use, and that would not be maiu-tained' and preserved by the vigilance and efforts b.f those dependent upon such ditches for their support. He gave it as his judgment that there was a more feasible plan for assisting the Pi& Indians than by constructing a system of ditches that must remain idle and useless for an indefinite period and perhaps forever,and one that would without any question enable them tb secure a very considerable sipply of water for irrigating their lands, and might eventually afford them all the water necessary. This plan was to develop and bring to the surface the underground waters, of which he believed there was an inexhaustible supply. November 19, 1900, the Office recommended that Mr. Graves's plan be testedat once on a small scale an4 that he be authorized to make the necessary preliminary sur-veys and estimates and to exercise a supervision over the work. On the same date a report of the Director of the Geological-Survey, dated November 15,1900, was referred to this Office, in which he stated that the project proposed by Inspector Graves for bringing to the surface the water percolating in or adjacent to the channel of the Gila River was one which had been considered at various times, but had not been considered feasible. Referring to investigations made by this Bureau, the Director said: This matter of o b m a p ermanent 811pply for these Indians is one which has been before the Department in one form or another for fourteen years without def-inite conclusion. This has been due largely to the fact that at no time in the pro-ceedings has the whole matter been definitely committed to any one expert for full consideration and report. i I i , |