The record-union., 1893-07-21
THE IRRIGATION CONGRESS.
Secretary Gresham Issues an In
portant Letter.
Points Out the Importance of the Con-
gress to Our Diplomatic
Officers.
Secretary of State w. @. Gresham has
issued the following circular letter:
DEPARTMENT of STATE,
ASHJN-tVoN IuIU : 1909

ISSUED the following circular letter:
DEPARTMENT of STATE,
WASHINGTON July Z, 1898,
10 the Diplomatic Officers Of tie United
'StdteS-GEN At the fourth an
nuaI session of the Transnississippi Con-
gress, which met at Ogden, Territory of
! Clah, April "A, 1893, at which all the States
OF the United States and Territories west
OF the Mississippi River were represented
by regularly appointed delegates, the fol-
lowing resolution, addressed 10 the Presi-
dent Of the United States, was unaui-
mousIy passed on April 10Th:
WHEREAS, the greater part of the Trans
mississippi section represented in this CON
giess is actIN ely Interested in the irrigation
industry ana in large measure dependent
upon irrigation for the development OF It's q =
llculLufal resources and whereas, an Inter
national Irrigation Congress is TO meet al Los
Angeles, Cal, october 10, 1898, at which
leading lrrlgation1sts OF the United States
Europe, Asia and Australia will be present.
/ and where number OF important questions
relating TO irrigation law. irrigation securities
and irrigation methods will receive discussion
and action; therefore, be it
HeSOtted, That this congress of the Trans
mississippi States hereby requests the Presl-
dent of the United States to issue an invita-
tlon TO foreign Governments Of countries
where irrigation is prac:ceG, asking them to
send delegates to the International Congress
at Los Angeles; and be it furthermore
HteSotctd, That the Transmississippf States
DC urged 10 send represC natives to the con-
greSs, and that their respective governments
be requested TO exert themselves 10 make the
undertaking the success which the dignity
ana importance OF the subject 10 be considered
merits.
Inc subject of irrigation is one that is
rapidly assuming vast proportions in the
United States, particularly so far as con-
Germs our large extent OF arid lands, and
the success which has attended its prac-
| ice therein has naturally caused its spread
I tlTOnUhOIIf tho rpir1U =
tory as well.
The congress which it is proposed to
conVoke at Los Angeles will probably be
attended by 1000 delegates coming from
all the States of this Union where irripa-
tlon is practiced and from foreign coun-
/ tries more or less directly interested in
the subject. Itpromises, moreover. to be
an important convention of persons act
lively Interested in the development of the
w Western half Of the United States by
means OF irrigation. The matters to be
discussed are of immediate practical in
| terest to the Nation and to officers of the
government having to do with the pub
Tic lands and with scientific researches
pertaining to the soils and waters of the
arid regions. Hence the exchange of
ideas OF writers on irrigation and others
having practical experience with refer
ence to irrigation problems can not but
prove highly beneficial to tn II most i'm
portant interest not only to o%own coun-
try, but to all others where irrigation is
practlced even to limited extent.
The interest evinced by the Chamber of
Commerce of Los Angeles, Cal. in be-
half OF the international Irrigation Con-
gress and by the Chairman of the Com
mlttee on Irrigation and Reclamation of
Arid Lands Of the United States Senate
speaking for the people of all that part Of
the Unlted States which depends upon IT.
rlgatlon to greater or less extent, leads
the department to hope for favorable re-
spOnses from abroad, in order to obtain
the fullest possible expression of opinion
on the subject.
The Department of the Interior will no
represented at the proposed meeting bv
an officer to be detailed by the Secretary
OF that department., for the purpose Of
giving such Information as NAV be de-
sired concerning the results obtained bv
the surveys which have been carried on
for several years under the auspices IF
the General Government.
GU are accordingly instructed TO in
formally notify the Government to which
you are accredited OF this meeting of the
international Irrigation Congress-. which
Is to convene at Los Angeles, Call, Octo-
Der 10, 1898, and request its co-operation
through duly accredited delegates. am.
gentlemen, your obedient servant.
w. q. GRESHAM.