Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-09-29
WATER FOR CROPS.
A NATIONAL GATHERING DISCUSSES
THE QUESTION.
IRRIGATION CONGRESS MEETS
e. r.. MOSES, OF KANSAS, OUTLINES
THE YEARS PROGRESS.
Judge j. S. Emery, of Kansas, Re-
sponds to Welcoming Addresses-
a Scientific Instrument for
Mapping Sub-Surfnce
streams.


Streams.
Lincoln Neb., Sept. 2S.-Delegates to the
National Irrigation congress, which began
its sixth annual session to-day, made
record for industry in disposing of work
on hand and setting pace for more elab-
crate proceedings to follow. The initial ses
sion and afternoon was marked by an over
flow of enthusiasm on the part of the par
ticipants and visitors. Addresses by such
men as Judge Emery, of Kansas; Z. Il.
Moses, of the same state, and Assistant
Land Commissioner Best of Washington,
D. c., did not fail to awaken interest in the
movements they championed, and the senti-
ments they expressed were applauded and
echoed by local speakers, whose interest in
irrigation projects is reaching the point en-
tertained by districts where the enterprise
is no longer in its infancy.
Thus far there has been little said con-
cerning new officers of the congress. Sec
retary HeintZ is understood to be candi-
date for reelection and has strong support.
Two aspirants for the next place of meet
ing have appeared in the cities of Atlanta,
Ga, and Guthrie, o. T. Atlanta appears to
be generally favored
Aside from the disappointment over a
slightly decreased attendance from outside
states conditions for the opening of the
congress were most auspicious. Delegates
from thirteen states were enrolled.
Brigham Young, of Salt Lake City. finan-
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 MORN
ing's trains.
The presence of the representatives of a
number of Western railroad lines was a
source of qualification to the officers of
the congress, who consider 1t good omen
when those companies whose roads traverse
a district most affected by irrigation show
an active interest in the success of the
movement.
1t was 2 p. m. when, President Booth
called the congress to order in assembly
hall of the University of Nebraska. On
the platform, besides officers of the con-
gress, were Governor Holcomb, Mayor Graz
versity. Rev ]. G. Mailey offered prayer
Chairman of the National Committee Moses
announced the secretaries and Secretary
Heintz read the call for the meeting of the
convention. President Booth introduced
Governor Holcomb. who welcomed the del
egates in an address of some length.
Of Nebraska. seconded on behalf of the ed
! ucational interests of the state the well
come of the governor.
On behalf of the congress. Judge ]. S.
Emery, of Lawrence, Kas., with an inter-
; national reputation as an authority on ir-
risational subjects, responded to the adj
dresses of welcome. His speech was happy
mixture of humor and an exposition of the
question which called the congress togeth-
er.. So deep and abiding was. his faith In
cry. that he, with other kansans. had come
to regard that system of farm moisture as
| the natural one and rainfall as the sec
source of all wealth. and when the people
learned SO to regard 1t. and by scientific
means aided nature in supplying the de-
| ficlent moisture it would mean regeneration
] not only of the West, but of the sister
hood of states.
Judge Emery F. Best, of Washington, D.
I, c., assistant commissioner of the general
| land office, took the place of Commissioner
Hermann as a representative of the federal
government. and was followed briefly by
oming.
President Booth, after announcing vari-
Gus committees, addressed himself to the
| convention proper in carefully prepared
| paper.
E. R. Moses. of Great Bend, Kas.. chair
man of the national executive committee.
| the year. He said:
The people Of the United States must
to judge intelligently. of the. wants and
eesI NEEDS o,,a Of any part art. Of it. and then they
e ha ts es 9 orrs So
| tion, birthplace and state in their great
| desire to build up America as the land of
tbs free IS done the era S If the be 9a no when
| fisunting of the bloody shirt at every
hustings or. in every spread-eagle speech,
! a 'grasping East, a 'frigid North and a
| wild and woolly West
TT The time has come when this, nation,
| ever be on the alert in making due and
ample preparation for the comfort and
ment founded as 1t was upon that grand
and paternal proposition, to. secure the
blessings of liberty and happiness to our
| her posterity than a father can his child.
| Forget them. l say, by Withholding from
of homes that lie in this western country
| homes that are their birthright, as much
so as the homesteads that are now the
American citizens. Heretofore this govern
| ment has been most generous with her
| free homes for her people.
"The people living in this section are
| most patiotic and generous: their arms are
extended to receive all good citizens M as within M
| more idle and homeless people in the
| crowded and congested cities of the East
are looking for the time when these West
| nent. Philanthropists and humanitarians
see the great opportunity for solving one
h the 'rth timessthe @ settling Of the worthy un. NJ
| employed and homeless upon these lands
| while politicians and statesmen realize the
| fact, if they do not carry it into practice
| the safety and perpetuity of this govern
ment lie in having homes for its worthy
| homeless citizens.
s'The time has come to the minds of all
| who fully know the condition of the East
| and West that this country can no longer
| remain half settled and half unsettled any
| more than 1t could have remained hall
| free and half slave. Individual and CO.
| operative efforts have gone as far as they
| can go. Uncle Sam owns this unsettled
| land and it has now come to the parting
| OF the ways: either the government mus
open these lands for settlement or turr
| them over In fee simple to the states anG
| territories in which they lie, that they may
| open them for settlement. The settlemen,
| OF tho West means only that the products
| of the soil go East for the products of the
| loom and the factory; that the settling OF
| the surplus population in the West relieves
| the East of great financial burdens which
| give only temporary relief. The opening o
| the West will not only give homes to the
| present homeless. but 10 future thousands
| instead of forcing them abroad. like En-
| gland France and Germany do their home
| less people, for want of territory.
| .'If any bill is passed for the reclama,
| ton of arid and semi-arid America it mus
| first be drafted by this body or the people
of the West. The last irrigation congres:
| Starter known as the Public Land Com
| mission Bill 1t was introduced in tn,
| house of representatives near the close o
| the session, and awaits resurrection.
| has firm supporters in both houses. anC
| with proper efforts on the part of this con
| gross could become law.
| More acres are under cultivation b,