The Lamar register., 1893-01-07
IRRIGATION ENGINEERS.
xhey Gather 1t Denver fron An Rarts
of tho West to. o.Confer Together.

xhey Gather 1t Denver fron An Rarts
of tho West to.Confer Together.
The American Society of Irrigation Engin-
eers began its annual convention In Denver
on the 18th. Charter members were present
from Colorado, Utah, Idaho, California and
Nebraska President Foote delivered an ad-
dress OF welcome.
The following new officers were chosen:
President, Professor L. G. Carpenter Of the
Agricultural college, Fort Collins, Colorado;
vice president, William II. Hall, San Fran
cisco, California; secretary and treasurer,
John s. Titcomb, Denver; directors, G. K.
Bannister of Utah, @. L. Stevenson Of Salt
Lake City, c. r. lockwood of California
The secretary read paper by Surveyor
General Hobart OF New Mexico, on "a Reser-
voir at Santa Fe." The problem of storage
| reservoirs was ably treated and the results of
some Interesting experiments given in detail.
s. Foster Of Ogden, Utah, read the second
paper, entitled ''Pipc Irrigation" Mr.. Fos-
ters observations were confined to wooden
stave pipe. The paper provoked considerable
discussion, but its principal conclusions met
with general assent
The Thursday mornings session Was open
ed by j. s. Green, eX-state engineer Of Colo
rado, who read paper on Needed Irriga-
tion Legislation The paper elected 4
stirring debate, led by Mayor Rogers, who
was present by special invitation. The debate
was also participated in by Colonel Stephen
son of Salt Lake, A. d. Foote of Boise City,
Donald Campbell of Denver, Prof. Bailey of
Chicago, and others.
Mr.. Green's paper embodied the draft OF
proposed law, giving In detail special points
for legislation, defining more clearly and
forcibly the rights of appropriations and users
Of water, which his official experience had
led him to believe to be imperatively called
for. This paper defined the rights as between
| parties diyerting water from natural streams
and those taking into canals for the purpose
of disposal to other parties, themselves not
owning or using the land.
After the reading of Mr.. Green's paper,
Mayor Rogers was requested to review the
main points of it. He gave his opinion
| that the same necessity which had compelled
the state Of Colorado TO abrogate the common
law doctrine of riparian rights within the
state indicates that the best policy for the
state would be to control the application Of
| the water TO the land. He also was of the
opinion that no person or corporation can ac-
| quire any absolute ownership of water, but
that it should be under the control of the
state.
AT the afternoon session, President Foote
being indisposed, he called Mr.. d. w. Foote
10 the chair He introduced the draft of a
bill to be offered in Congress, providing for
the irrigation and reclamation of arid lands,
for the protection of forests and utilization
OF pasturage, and asking that the members
give the matter their consideration that they
might be ready to vote upon it, The bill con-
| nf ter sections and prOyilp5 thai NIL
lands not mineral nor already taken up or re-
| served between the 99th standard meridian
and the Coast and Cascade mountains, should
be turned over to a commission for the bene-
| lit OF the various states and territories in
which they are The second and third Sec
tious call for the appointment of national
commissioner of land and water for each
state and territory by the President.
Other sections give details for the control
| of the lands. This shall be by local boards.
All lands are to be let to actual settlers.
The proposed bill elected lively debate.
paper was read by Ed Clark OF. Eddy,
New Mexico, on Canal Operation" In this
| paper he set forth the evils affecting the ad'
mlnistration and operation of irrigation
works because of the hurry and false economy
| used in their construction.
The last paper of the day was by Noryall
| W. Wall OF Trinidad, aud treated Of the use
Of city sewage for irrigation.
No formal papers were read at the conclud.
ing session of the Society of Irrigation Engi'
necrs Friday, but there was much general dis
cussion on the subject OF guard-sates. fumes
| and head-ga
A proposition to hold the next annual meet
ing Of the Society in Chicago during the
| Worlds Fair was fayorably received. The
date will be fixed by the directors.
1t was voted To issue year book contain
Ing full history OF the proceedings of the
convention, papers read or sent in, discus
| sions, etc.
| In the afternoon the members availed them
selves of an invitation from the Tramway
Company to take trip over ito various lines.
! After some further discussion OF technical
character in the evening the convention hn-
ally adjourned.