The herald., 1896-12-16
THE |RR|GATORS
IN CONVENTION
Heartily Welcomed by the
Ariz0nans
MOST OF THE STATES OF THE UNION
Sent Delegates to Represent
Their Interests
WR,GHT'S IRRIGATION LAW
The Basis Of Projects For Agricultural
Development
By subjeetlng Land and Water to Common
Ownershii
Recommendation That Complications
Be Avoided and Obstacles Re-
moved by Putting Irrigation
Under State Board
WR,GHT'S IRRIGATION LAW
The Basis Of Projects For Agricultural
Development
By Sublecting Land and Water to Common
Ownershii
Associated Press Special wire


PHOENIX, Dec. 15.-The session Of the
national irrigation congress filled the
Phoenix opera house this morning. The
interior was elaborately decorated with
palms and greenery. The band Of the
Indian school children made excellent
music, and the arrangements of local
committees were generally recommend
ed.
Chairman e. R. Moses Of the national
executive committee called the session to
order.
John e. Frost Of Kansas, president Of
the congress at Albuquerque, was
chosen temporary chairman, and James
H. McClintock Of Arizona temporary Sec
retary.
Chairman Mosep read report of the
national executive committee indicating
that measures would be presented to the
congress looking to a permanent organi-
zation with paid membership .and that
the work Of the body would be carried
out effectually at Washington and be-
fore the country at large.
Mayor J. D. Monihon welcomed the
visitors on behalf Of the municipality.
Gov. B. ]. Franklin followed with an
eloquent address directed especially at
the work of tho congress in setting
straight public and congressional senu-
ment relative to the irrigation and re-
ciamation Of arid land.
Response were made by John e. Frost
of Kansas, w. F. Burbank of Califor-
mia and A. G. WAlfenberger Of Ne
braska.
Committees were appointed on creden-
tials and permanent organization. The
order of business was given over to the
care of the national executive commit
tee, and at 1880 the convention ADJOURN
ed to 2:30.
At the afternoon session the commit
tee on credentials reported delegates
present from the states and territories of
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connec-
ticut, Idaho. Illinois. Iowa, Indiana.
Kansas, Minnesota. Montana, Missouri.
Michigan, Nebraska, New York, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Nevada, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah,
Washington, Wyoming, Wisconsin and
the District Of Columbia.
Permanent organization was effected
by the selection of c. B. Boothe of Cali
fornia to be president, Governor-elect
Frank H. Briggs of North Dakota vice
president and James H. McClintock of
Arizona. A. L. Kellogg of Colorado and
L. s. Hewlett Of sWashingto mas secre-
taries.
In accepting the chair President
Boothe stated that he considered the
honor to be one due rather to the great
state Of California that he had been
chosen to preside over a congress en-
bracing delegates from the valley of the
Connecticut, the home of Mark Twain,
who vouched for at least nine kinds Of
weather in q single day, to the SUM-
kissed lands Of the golden west. where
the sun seemed to forever shine, q con-
ynvnfi vVnnn IN IN ha AZ 1ta of
territory which we hope in the near fu-
ture win assume q place amid the other
stars of the flag.
e. R. Moses, chairman of the executive
committee, submitted tn annua report
Of the committee. The report says:
The work laid out by the executive
committee from 1895 has not been fully
accomplished, nor is 1t as satisfactory to
. the members as 1t would, have been had
they not been handicappcS in many
ways in Its advancement. Nearly every
senator and representative in congress
had been written And explicitly told
what was desired ana their co-operation
was asked. A very strong sentiment in
favor of irrigation lind been found. The
press had given valL; BILE assistance to
the cause and the railroads have shown
no lack of interest in the work, many of
the officials of the railroads having given
personal attention to the work in several
Ways sAA1I 4Ao0 Occll pTOuuCllVe OIL great
good.
Surprising as 1t may sem to YOU of
the west. the east and south are waking
up to the necessity of irrigation even in
their own sections, and in many places
experimenting in irrigation for the pur-
pose OF making surer and larger crops
which they know will always increase
the value Of their lands. From this
source we have been encouraged. Not
the least interested in this work are the
water and land companies, emigrant and
provident associations. The latter work
ing in conjunction with the former will
one day solve the great-national cues
tion, what shall we do with the unem-
ployed?" IT is answered by utilization
Of the vast wastes of arid lands by the
colonization of these people. The con-
gress should do something besides max
ing speeches. 1t should leEislate, pass
bill or bills embodying the issues 1t las
for years been presenting to the people.
The country in general was demanding
something feasible, practicable and tan
gible. They could not at first expect
or even think that they would be per-
feet. Time and experience would reveal
the imperfections and give ample time
to perfect them. A bill or bills creating a
national irrigation commission and q
national forestry commission should be
passed. The duty of the irrigation COM
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