Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-10-07
THE CONGRESS ENDED.
irrigation Advocates Transact Impor'
tant Business at Lincoln.
Federal Control and Maintenance OF Reser-
viors in Arid Regions Asked-HermanE
BIZ Endorsed, Which Codes to the
States 200, 900 Acres.

LINCOLN, Neb., Oct. 1.-The members
of the National Irrigation congress
continued their record for industry
yesterday, crowding much work into
two short sessions and concluding
their convention in time to allow
many of the delegates to take evening
trains for home. Ex-senator Carey, of
Wyoming, who was Wednesday elected
president of the congress, scored a
triumph yesterday by securing the
next meeting for Cheyenne, and he
was again honored by being chosen as
chairman of the national executive
committee Federal versus state con-
troll and maintenance of reservoirs in
arid districts was the rock upon which
the convention seemed destined at one
time to split. A preponderance Of
sentiment favorable to federal control
was shown on vote to adopt the ma
jority report of the committee on resO-
lutions.
The committee on resolutions re-
ported through its chairman, Elwood
Meade, of Wyoming. The resolutions,
which follow, were adopted by sections:
The value OF the irrigated farm and the Sc
curity OF the homes thereby created are alike
dependent upon the enicient public control of
the water supply and the prevention OF water
becoming q speculative commodity. We be-
leve that the water Of the streams should for
ever remain public property, and that the
right to it should not be individual, but in the
land reclaimed.
unff ha re Of
the arid region is essential to the maintenance
of the water supply for irrigation, as well as
the supply Of timber for industrial needs;
Sale of Timber Lands Opposed.
Resolved That the president Of the United
States be memoralized to, so soon MS proper
and adequate form OF administration shall be
provided, withdraw from entry or sale, under
the act OF congress of March 3, 1901, all public
lands which are OF more value for their timber
than for agriculture or for their minerals.
Whereas The present public land laws, hav-
ing developed under conditions where irriga-
tion is not q necessity and having in their
operation proved utterly unsuited to the con-
ditions and the needs of the arid region; and
Whereas, The present policy Of divided con-
troll between state and nation Of the public
lands and waters of the arid region retards de-
velopment, misleads settlers, hampers enter
prise and is responsible for rapid destruction
of western forests and pasturage;
Advocate Federal Control of Pensions.
Resolved, That we favor the creation by con-
gress Of commission Of skilled and ex-
perienced persons to investigate the conditions
now existing and to submit to congress such
changes in our land laws as their investigation
shall show to be desirable
Resolved, That the executive committee be
authorized to appoint committee to proceed
to Washington and urge the early creation OF
such a commission. We favor such commits
sion. We favor the construction at the earliest
practicable date by the general government OF
two reservoirs, recently located under the di
rectfon Of the United States engineer CORPS
one each in Colorado and Wyoming.
Colonization Movement Favored.
Resolved, That we commend all looking to
the colonization OF the arid west and the crea-
ton of homes therein for the worthy poor.
Resolved, Thatwe have heard with the great
est interest and great pleasure Mrs. Booth
fuckers presentation and explanation OF the
plans and purposes of the Salvation army In
organizing colonies of the worthy poor Of our
great cities to settle and build homes upon the
rich irrigated lands Of the west The work is
grand and patriotic one, worthy Of the COM
mendation and assistance Of every son Of our
country The west extends its heartiest wishes
to these people, and pledges our sympathy and
support in aiding the people to make happy
homes upon our rich and productive lands.
Hermann's Arid Land Bill Endorsed.
A supplemental report of the COM
mittee on resolutions, pledging the
support of the irrigation congress to
the Hermann bill now pending in the
national house of representatives, pro-
viding for the cessation to the states
of 100000 acres of arid lands, was
adopted.
The report of the committee on plan
of organization was adopted. The ma
tional executive committee was then
named, j. Fl. Churchill, of Kansas;
Thomas knight, of Missouri, and Matt
Dougherty, of Nebraska, being made
members At four o'clock the congress
adjourned sine die.