The record-union., 1897-10-01

Adopted.
LINCOLN (Neb.), Sept. 3O-The third
and last day of the National Irrigation
Congress opened its session at 10 a. m.
The form of organization of the con-
gress was discussed at some length, to
the end that the body might become
more stable and Of more permanent
character.
The report of the Committee on Plan
of Organization was adopted. 1t en-
bodied a constitution and bylaws.
The matter of the location of the
convention next year was brought up.
The claims of Omaha were presented
by Arthur p Cutter of Chicago. Sem
ator Joseph Carey spoke for Cheyenne,
WyO. Cheyenne was favored very gen.
orally, being seconded as a place of
meeting by delegates from Colorado,
Montana, Nebraska and Kansas. The
selection of Cheyenne was made unan-
imous, without opposition.
The National Executive Committee
was named as follows: c. NJ Heintz,
California; A. L. Kellogg, Colorado; E.
F. Best, District of Columbia; F. J.
Mills, Idaho; c. A Park, Illinois; J. A.
Churchill, Kansas; A. w. Pickering,
Kentucky; Thomas Knight, Missouri;
Thomas C. Frost, Minnesota: o. E. Nc
Cutcheon, Michigan; S. M. Emery,
Montana; Thomas j. Clark, New Mex
leo; Matt Daugherty, Nebraska; H. B.
Maxson, Nevada; w. Lawrence, Ohio;
C. V. Gardner, South Dakota; H. L. w.
Shurtliffe, Utah; Elwood Meade, Wy
oming.
The Committee on Resolutions report
ed through its Chairman, Elwood
Meade of Wheeling. The resolutions,
which follow, We're adopted by sec
tions:
''The value of the irrigated farm and
the security of the homes thereby Gre
ated are alike dependent upon sufh-
cient public control of the water sup
ply and the prevention of water be-
coming a speculative commodity. We
believe that the waters of all streams
should forever remain public property,
and that the right to its use should in
here not in the individual nor the ditch,
but in the land reclaimed.
Whereas, The perpetuation of the
forests of the arid region is essential
" lIlC maintenance Oh ID Wdl6I supply
for irrigation as we'll as the supply OF
timber for industrial needs;
Resolved, That the President of the
United States be memoralized, as soon
as a proper and adequate form of ad-
ministration shall be provided, to with
draw from entry or sale under the Act
of Congress of March 3, 1891, all pub
lie lands which are of more value for
their timber than for agriculture or for
their minerals.
whereas, The present public land
laws, having developed under condi-
tions where irrigation is not neces-
sity. and having in their operation
proved utterly unsuited to the condi-
tions and the needs of the arid region
and
Whereas, The present policy of di-
vided control between State and Ma
ton of the public lands and waters of
the arid region retards development,
misleads settlers, hampers enterprise
and is responsible for rapid destruc-
ton Of Western forests and pasturage;
Resolved, That we favor the crea-
tion of a committee of skilled and ex-
perienced persons to investigate the
conditions now existing, and to report
to Congress such changes in our land
laws as their Investigations shall show
to be desirable.
Resolved, That the Executive Com
mittee be authorized to appoint a COM
mittee to proceed to Washington and
urge the early creation of such a COM
mittee.
I'VE favor the construction at the
NJ; ,5o4
eral Government of two reservoirs re-
Gently located under the direction of
the United States engineer corps, one
each in Colorado and Wyoming"
This section brought a minority re-
port as follows:
believing that the construction of
storage reservoirs for irrigation pur-
poses is not a proper function of the
Federal Government. but its work
should be confined to surveys and the
collection for information in regard to
water supply, extent Of irrigable lands,
location Of reservoir sites, etc. the mi
nority of the Committee on Resolutions
recommend that the resolution favor
ing construction by the Federal Gov
ernment of reservoirs be not adopted"
The minority report was ably cham
pioned by ]. II. Brigham. Assistant
Secretary OF Agriculture of Washing
ton. and Delegate Mills of idaho, but
the majority report was adopted by
practically unanimous vote.
The resolutions continue:
Resolved, That we commend all ef-
forts looking to the colonization of the
arid West and the creation of homes
therein for the worthy poor
Resolved, That we have heard with
the greatest interest and great pleas
ure Mr.. and Mrs. Booth-Tucxer's pre-
sentation and explanation of the plans
and purposes of the Salvation Army in
organizing colonies for the worthy poor
Of our great cities to settle and build
homes upon the rich irrigated lands
of the West. Theirs is a grand. noble
and patriotic work. and deserves the
earnest commendation and support of
every citizen of our country The con-
gress extends its hearty welcome to
these worthy people. and pledges our
sympathy and support in aiding the
people to make happy homes upon our
rich and productive lands
Delegate Emery of Montana warmly
protested against the project, which, he
claimed, was destined to bring to the
Western States a population which