The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-02-10
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WEDNESDAY. FEB 10. ST
THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION CON
GEESS

GHESS.
The last meeting cf the congress
showed fine grasp Of the work to be
done. The need Of tree planting and the
bearing OF irrigation on the problem of
the unemployed are living questions.
Let every man, woman ande chlld OBJ
serve Arbor day. The young man need
not so west any longer, but should put
out trees and reclaim waste land.
Among other things, the following was
said at the congress:
The work laid out by the executive
committee for 1896 had not been fully
accomplished, nor was it as satisfactory
to the members as it would have been
if they had not been handicapped IN
many ways in its advancement. Nearly
every senator and representative IN con-
gress had been written to and explicitly
told what was desired, and their COOP
Grafton was asked. A very strong sentl-
nent in favor of irrigation had teen
found. The press had given valuable
assistance to the cause, and the railroads
have shown no lack of interest in the
work, many of the officials of the rail
roads having given personal attention
to the work in several ways that had
been productive of great good.
Surprising as it may seem 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
are experimenting in irrigation for the
purpose of making surer and larger
crops, which they know will always IN
crease the value of their land. From this
source we have been encouraged. Not
the least interested in this work are the
water and land companies and emigrant
and provident associations. The latter,
working in conjunction with the former,
will one day solve the great national
question, What shall we do with the
unemployed? which is answered by the
utilization of the vast lands by irriga-
tion for the colonization Of these people.
The congress should do something be-
sides making speeches. It should legis-
late, pass q bi1l'or bills embodylng the
issues it has for years been presenting
to the people. The country in general
was demanding something feasible,
practicable and tangible. They could
not at first expect or even think what
they did would be perfect Time and
experience would reveal the imperfec-
tions and give ample time to perfect
them. a bill or bills screating national
irrigation commission and national
forestry commission should be passed.
The duty Of the irrigation commission
should be to look after irrigation in its
e7ery,shape and form in every state and
territory, to take charge Of all irrigation
works and property and report directly
to congress or to the interior or agricul-
tural department. the progress Of lrrlga-
ton and make such suggestions as would
be for it's further advancement until ev-;
cry irrigabie arid acre is subGued and
the unemployed and homeless found
peace and plenty upon them.
The necessity for forestry commits
sion was as important to this country as
the forests, for without the former we
would soon have none Of the latter.
Sooner or later we would not feel the
loss Of forests in dollars and cents so
much as we would in the use in con-
serving the waters fer irrigation.
The committee recommended action
upon the following subjects in the form
Of bills for presentation at Washington:
Arid land policy.
Interstate streams.
International streams.
The reclamation of arid and semiarld
lands.
Pastoral lands.
Irrigation surveys and appropriations
for irrigation.