The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-11
THE IRRIGATION MEETING
Preparations Progressing Salts
factorily.
EXCELLENT WORK DONE
Importance of the Session Cannot Be
Observation-Disclosures Will
Show Practical Illus
tations.

Missoula, July 1O.-The local commit
tee of the irrigation congress is busy
these days and the preparations for the
coming meeting are progressing salts
factorily. The press of Montana and of
the entire Northwest is to be asked to
assist in bringing the Missoula meeting
to the attention of the public. Excel
lent work in this line is being done by
the people and the editors in particular
of the southern portion of the arid belt.
1t is expected that there will be an ex-
cellent attendance at the meeting this
year, as the Importance of the question
of irrigation is beginning to be recog-
nized. The local committee is sending
out the following circular. which will be
of interest to the people of Montana:
The eighth annual session of the Ma
tionai Irrigation congress will be held
in Missoula, Mont, on Sept. %, Is and
p. The first meeting will be held Mon
day morning, Sept. 25. and will continue
through Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept
26 and 81
The importance of the sessions of
the irrigation congress cannot be over
estimated. The vast area of arid and
semi-arid lands in the United States
has been the subject of much discus
sion during the past five years. Upon
the reclamation of these lands depends
in great measure the prosperity of
this nation. 1t is subject that is en-.
crossing the attention OF statesmen,
agriculturists, editors and ng.neers,
and much has already been accomplish
ed in this direction. 1t has been de-
monstrated that these arid lands may
be transformed into fertile fields Of
marvellous productiveness by the utili-
cation of the waters of the streams and
by the reservoir storage of the storm
waters. and the excessive flow from the
mountains during the spring and early
summer months, for use during the
later months of drought. For the per-
lection of the plans already inaugur-
ated and for the Introduction of new
measures, additional legislation Is re-
quired.
This is not local issue. It is ques-
ton that directly affects the people of
every state, East and West, North and
South The growth of the population
of the United States renders imperative
the provision of new areas where men
can build homes for their families and
gain from the earth a competency for
themselves. The area embraced in what
is denominated the "arid belt" If re-
methods, will furnish homes for mil
lions of people.
The newly awakened interest in the
reclamation of these lands indicates
that the whole nation is beginning to
appreciate its Importance. 1t signifies
that the purposes for which the irrigu-
ton congress was organized are ques-
tons which concern the whole nation.
The previous sessions of the congress
have been attended by engineers. agri-
culturistS, statesmen, scientists, editors
and representatives of the several de-
partments of the federal government
and of the state governments. The
meetings are open to all and the COM
mittee invites proposals of subjects ami
papers for discussion to be presented
at the approaching meeting of the con-
gress.
The valleys Of Western Montana. of
which Missoula is the center offer a
splendid object lesson in the results CT
scientific irrigation. Visitors will be
shown the practical working of extern
sive irrigation systems. visit will be
made to the famous Bitter Root stock
farm, where an excellent lesson in IT.
rigation Will be presented.
The delightful climate of Western
Montana's autumn, the many points of
interest near to Missoula, the proximity
to the Yellowstone National park and
additional attractions for those who
contemplate attending the congress.
The railroads offer special rates Of
transportation and the Missoula meet
ing will be full of interest
Governors, mayors, irrigation asso-
Citations, agricultural and horticultural
societies, engineering associations, agri-
cultural colleges and commercial bodies
are requested to attend at once to the
appointment of delegates who will at
tend and take part in the proceedings
of the congress.
Basis of Representation.
The governor of each state and terri
tory to name seven delegates; the may
or of each city of less than $4,000 popu-
latiOn, two delegates: the mayor Of
each city of more than $4,000 population
four delegates; each agricultural col
lege, two delegates; each ORGANIZED ir-
rlgation, agricultural and horticultural
society, two delegates: eacn society OF
engineers, two delegates: each irriga-
ton company, two delegates: each
board of trade and chamber Of COM
merce. two delegates.
In addition to the foregoing the fol-
lowing persons are delegates o. virtue
of their respective Offices: The duly ac-