The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-29
| IRRIGATION
CONGRESS-
CONVEuES
Initial Session Marked
by an Overflow of
Enthusiasm.
NOTABLE MEN ARE
DELEGATES.
Possibilities of Arid Land in
the South and West
Discussed.
HOW SCIENCE CAN ASSIST
NATURE.
Proper Storage of Water a Flood
Preventive and Promoter
Of Colonization.
Possibilities of Arid Land in
the South and West
Discussed.
HOW SCIENCE CAN ASSIST
NATURE.
Proper Storage of Water a Flood
Preventive and Promoter
Of Colonization.

LINCOLN. NEBR., Sept. 2S.-Delegates
to the National Irrigation Congress.
which began its sixth annual session TO-
day, have made record for industry in
dlsposing of work on hand and setting a
pace for more elaborate proceedings 10
follow. The initial ses ion was marked
by an overflow of enthusiasm on the part
of the partic. pants and visitors. Ad-
dresses by such men as Judge Emery of
Kansas, L. r. Moses of the same State
and Assistant Land Commissioner Best
of Washington, D. g., did not fail to
awaken interest in the movements they
cham pioned, and the sentiments they
expressed were applauded and re-echoed
by local speakers, whose interest in irri-
CATION projects is reaching the point en-
tertained by districts where the enter
prise is no longer in its infancy.
Thus lar there has been little said con-
corning new officers of the congress.
Secretary Heintz is understood to be a
candidate for reelection, and has strong
support. Two aspirants for the next
place of meeting have appeared in the
cities Of Atlanta, GA, and Guthrie, o. T.
Atlanta appears to be generally favored.
Brigham Young of salt Like City. fnan-
cial head OF the Mormon church and son
of the founder, who was on the programme
for an address, was obliged at the last
moment to abandon his visit on account
OF illness. HIS State, however, in point OF
attendance is second only to Nebraska.
Most of her delegates arrived on this
mornings trains.
The presence OF a number of Western
railroad officials was a source OF gr-titica-
ton to the officers of the congress.
meeting of the executive board of the
National Congress was held at IL o'clock,
largely for the purpose of outlining he
work of the three days convention, but it
was decided to leave the matter OF ar
rancement of programme and papers to
committee composed of the president and
secretary of the congress. 1t was decided
that the president OF the congress elected
at Phoenix, ARR. last year, c. B. Booth of
California, act as preside of the congress
until his successor be elected, and appoint
the necessary secretaries and assistants.
There was no particular contest but the
action was considered victory for the
West and the delegation from that section
was greatly pleased.
1t was O'Clock P. N. when President
Booth called the congress TO order in
Assembly Hall of The University of
Nebraska. On the platform, besides officers
of the congress, were Governor HoIcomb,
Mayor Graham and Chancellor Maclean
If the university. Rev. a. J. Mailley
offered prayer.
On behalf of the congress, Judge J. s.
Emery OF Lawrence Kans., with an inter-
national reputation as an authority on
irrigationsl subjects. responded to adj
dresses of welcome by the Governor and
chancellor. HIS speech was a happy
mixture of humor and an exposition of
the question which called the congress
together. So deep and abiding was his
faith in irrigation for soil culture, said
Judge Emery, that he, with other Kan
sans, had come to regard that system of
farm moisture as the natural one, and
rainfall as the secondary element He
congratulated the University of Nebraska
as being one of the first educational in
stitutions in the country 10 take up the
study of the irrigation problem. The vir-
gin soil was the source OF all veal h, and
when the people learned to so regard it and
bv scientific means aid nature in supply
ing the deficient moisture, it would mean
regeneration not only to the West, but of
the sisterhood OF States.
Judge Emery F. Best of Washington, D.
c. Assistant Commissioner OF the Cen
eral Land Office, took the place OF Com
missioner Harmon as repre sentative of