The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-15
Meet at San Francisco to Organize as the
California State Association.
Among the Important Subjects to
Be Discussed Are to Prevent
Losses From Overlooking of
Streams, to Relieve Agricultur-
lists From Evil Consequences OF
Drouths, to Extend the Irrt-
gated Area and to Obtain From
Streams Increased Power for
Manufacturing and Mining.

Manufacturing and Mining.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 14.-With
the result of the first days session OF
the Water Storage Convention, all the
delegates are satisfied. No plan
seems to be more favored at the pres
ent time than any other, but no fears
are voiced that it will be impossible to
reach one. In fact, the signs are plain
that practicable method will be out
lined for future successful crusad1ng
for the speedy storage of the waste
waters of the State. These signs have
been thrown out by delegates. who ex-
press a Willingness, like Pillsbury OF
Tulare, to take everything and any
thing in sight, so long as it leads in the
direction of ultimate success. They
are not committed to State bonds, nor
are they pledged to exclusive Federal
aid They will take both and impound
the waters of the State as quickly as
possible.
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 14.-About
500 representative men from every sec
ton and most of the important public
and quasi public bodies in the State
assembled this morning in the Maple
Hall of the Palace Hotel to organize as
the California State Association for the
Storage of Flood Waters.
Delegates were present from all the
Assembly districts, appointed by the
Boards of Supervisors of the several
counties, delegates from the Miners
Association, from the water companies
and kindred organizations, from COM
mercial associations, from the Senate,
from the Assembly, delegates at large,
delegates representing all interests con-
current or conflicting.
After learning all about the subject,
the local convention will discuss how
practically to attain these ends
First-To prevent annual losses from
the overlooking Of streams
Second-To relieve agriculturalists
from the evil consequences of drouths.
Third-To extend the irrigated area
and thereby Increase the rural popula-
ton and build up the State.
Fourth-To obtain from the streams
increased power for manufacturing and
mining.
At 1870 o'clock Mayor Phelan, whose
appearance was loudly applauded,
raped for order. Before calling for
the election of a temporary Chairman.
he welcomed the delegates from out of
town, and exhorted all members of the
convention to make any sacrifice of
personal views in order to secure har-
the two years of drouth, and remind
- ~
dollars lost in one dry season. Mr.. Phe-
Ian said:
Il take great pleasure in welcoming
to San Francisco the gentlemen assem-
bled here this morning for the purpose
of presenting measures and enjoying an
of ideas aiming at the well
fare of the great State of California I
am sure that all will agree that the
benefits possible from the successful So
luton of the problem of storing the
floor waters are almost inestimabIe, and
yet it is more than probable that in the
discussions there will be wide diverg-
ence of views.
1.-THE question whether the State
should defray the expense involved in
the work or whether the Federal Gov
eminent should pay the cost is, I con-
ceive, of great Importance, and yet if
the possibility in the meantime of los
ing the opportunity of having the work
done exists, I should favor proceeding
with the work without waiting for ac-
ton on the part of the Federal Gov
eminent. That we can afford to make
almost any sacrifice in order to bring
about unanimity of action, and to save
the loss of valuable time, has surely
been impressed upon us in the two
years drouth which the State so re-
Gently suffered. The failure of a. crop
in California means millions of dollars
loss to the entire State, and I wish you
gentlemen from the interior to under
stand that in this work you have in
hand San Francisco is in hearty SYM
pathy A great city is the spokesman
of great country, and all the natural
advantages which come to us as a great
city we lay at your feet. The interests
of all are wrapped up in this great
T. E. Gibbon of the Los Angeles
Chamber of Commerce nominated for
temporary Chairman F. w. Dohrmann
of this city.
Mr.. Dohrmann was elected by accla-
nation, after Briggs of Fresno had Sec
onded the nomination and declared that
the question of storage was the greatest
that had come before the people of Cal
ifornia in convention during a quarter
of a century.
In taking the chair Mr.. Dohrmann
made a facetious speech, saying that
when the ancients We're preparing for
war, actual conflict was invariably pre-
ceded by the offering up of a sacrifice
as means of appeasing the gods. "San
Francisco has selected me, evidently,
for the same purpose-that of offering
up a sacrifice. But I also read that
the ancients in choosing the object of
sacrifice always chose the young and
virtuous men. I imagine that the
choice fell upon me. because I was a.
negative quality But must ask your
indulgence. I feel incapable of filing
the position of Chairman as it should
be filed. I am not a professional par
Humanitarian, but will do the best I
can. Indeed, assure you," said Mr..
Dohrmann, becoming serious. that I