The record-union., 1896-12-18
A ForCible Plea for Laws Protecting the
Forests Of Arid America
Made by Judge Van Dyke, One of the
Delegates From California.
Reports From Various States and
Territories Show Wonderful Pro-
gress in the Irrigation of Arid
Lands-Lincoln, Nebraska, Selected
for the Next Meeting Place of the
COnpreSS
Congress.

for the Next Meeting Place of the
). Congress.
PHOENIX (Ariz.), Dec. 1.-THE last
day of the fifth session of the National
Irrigation Congress was a busy one, and
many important matters were disposed
of.
The congress convened at 10 O'Clock
this morning, with representatives
from twenty-six States and Territories.
Judge Van Dyke of California ad-
dressed the congress on forestry. In a
forcible speech he pleaded for laws pro-
tecting the forests of arid America. He
advocated the enactment of laws pro-
tecting the forests from fires, making
severe penalties for careless or mali
cious starting of fires in the vast timber
tracts of the country. He suggested
district police patrols as the best means
for protecting the forest lands.
When Judge Van Dyke had concluded
the Chairman read letter from Presi-
dent-elect Mckinley expressing regret
for inability to attend the congress, and
rendering his best wishes for it's success.
The convention enthusiastically ap-
plauded the reading of the letter.
The official reports from the various
States We're then read. Utah showed
wonderful progress in irrigation mat
ters. The report of Arizona showed the
largest increase of any of the States and
Territories in irrigating enterprises, and
the delegates expressed their admira-
ton for the great progress which has
been made in recent years in irrigating
arid lands in this Territory.
Brigham Young of Utah, descendant
of the great Mormon leader, addressed
the congress by special request. He
spoke eloquently of the advantages that
have been derived from the former ses-
sions of the congress and prophesied a
bright future for the great West when
it's arid wastes shall have been trans
formed into prosperous farming COM
munities. He described in a graphic
manner the early struggles of the Nor
mons in Utah, the construction of their
homes, and the first attempts at irriga-
tion under most adverse conditions, and
compared the arid waste of territory of
those days with the beautiful State Of
Utah of to-day, abounding in immense
irrigation canals constructed on the
most scientific principles, and at an ex
pense of millions of dollars. His speech
was one of the best delivered at this
session of the congress.
DR.. Chaplin of Illinois described the
irriga ton improvements now being car
ried on successfully Ia Illinois, and Mr..
Frost of Minnesota recounted the ex-
periments now being made with irriga-
ton in his State and the highly salts
factory results that are being obtained
therefrom.
Election Of officers for the ensuing
year resulted: Chairman, E. r. Moses
of Kansas; First Vice-Chairman, Brig
ham Young, Utah; Second Vice-Chair-
man, f. G. Hudson Illinois; Secretary,
S. Nj. Heintz, California; National Lee
turer Judge ]. L. Emory, Kansas; As
sistant Lecturer, l. A. Ford, Nebraska;
Secretary, l.. B. Brainerd, Connecticut.
The selection of place for the meet
ing of the next annual session OF the
congress was then discussed. Professor
Bell of Texas made a strong plea for
Ell Paso as the next place of meeting.
Governor HoIcomb of Nebraska,
through Judge Woolfenberger of that
State extended a cordial invitation to
the congress to hold its next session
in that State, and an invitation was
also read from the Mayor and City
Council of Lincoln. Colonel Hewlett
of Washington presented Washington's
claims for recognition, and John {.
Herndon of Arizona spoke in the in
terest of Nashville, Tenn. After some
discussion a vote was taken, and Lin
coin. Neb., was chosen by an over
whelming majority.
At the afternoon session General
O'Neil of Arizona made a stirring ad-
dress criticising severely the action of
the irrigation congress thus far
for failure to form plan of
action and too much discussion. He
proposed a bill for enactment by the
National Congress providing for the aid
of the Federal Government in the
reclamation of arid lands.
The bill proposes that the Govern
ment shall loan to each of the arid
States and Territories $1.O0O,OO0 per
annum for ten years, to be returned by
the States from the sale of land re-
claimed by the expenditure of this
money.
Mr.. Brainerd of Connecticut rendered
his resignation as Treasurer, and a.
Kibby of Rhode Island was elected to
that office.
The Committee on Resolutions ex-
tended hearty thanks to the citizens of
Phoenix for the hospitality accorded
the delegates during their visit to the
city.
The following resolutions in reference
to the Wright irrigation law were sub
mitted for consideration:
"Whereas The corstitutinnslitv of the
irrigation district law of California,
known as the Wright law, has been
.-.-->I., ,-.s4D4lstleu ~ the decision OF
the United States Supreme Court, and
the power Of States to construct public
systems of irrigation either by general
taxation or the creation of local i'm
provement districts. and to make use
of water for irrigation and public use
has been established beyond question
for all time;
Whereas, All who are interested in
the development by irrigation of arid
lands of this country recognize the inn
portance and affirm the underlying
principles of the Wright Act; that laws
should be enacted which will enable the
owners Of land to own and control the