The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-18
OUTCOME OF THE WATER STOR-
AGE CONVENTION.

AGE CON V ENIlON.
Not the most sanguine expected the
water storage convention to evolve de-
tails in all completeness for carrying
out the purposes for which the conyen-
ton was called. The most that was
anticipated was that the convention
would effect permanent organization of
a body to carry on work, the general
lines of which would be indicated by
the creating body. This, in fact, is
what has been done.
When the convocation got down to
work 1t was discovered, indeed it was
known such would be the case, that
there were conflicting interests and
must be harmonized, else the conven.-
ton would prove total failure. 1t is
not to be said that any of these ideas
were worthy of condemnation out Of
hand. In each suggested plan to con-
serve water storage and the resultant
benefits to flow to river navigation, for
est preservation, power promotion, irri-
CATION. etc, there are undeniable vir-
tues.
The convention. therefore, probably
did the best now attainable in effecting
a compromise by which conflicting
ideas and interests were brought into
agreement for plans of action. These
planss call for the permanency of the
convention. in the new form of the Cali
fornia Water and Forest Association
upon the commitment of it's powers in
the interim of its sessions to an ad-
visory council large in number and
widely representative; to the erection
by that council of an Executive Board
to carry out its directions and admins
ter the affairs Of the organization.
To these two bodies, the advisory and
and exceedingly onerous task of so ed
ueating public thought upon the SUBJ
ject of water conservation for all pur-
poses desired that it will presently be
SO receptive of the details of the va
rious means to be employed and the
ends to be attained as to respond broad
ly and literally to the demand that will
follow for State, national and individual
action.
Great as will be the work thus COM
mitted, it is conceivable that it may be
accomplished, and that the public judg-
ment can be so informed and instruct
ed upon the subject that the way will
be. opened with comparatively little
promise of after difficulty in attaining
the legislative and executive ends in
view.
The general policy established by the
convention and upon which it's advisory
and executive boards must proceed is
the result of concession, compromise
and harmonizing of views. all of
which looked to great good in some d.
rection intimately related to the con-
State and national schemes debated
prior to the assembling of the conven-
ton may be said to have both been
preserved, If not in their original in
tegTity, yet in such form as to make
each living subject for thought and
wise advising. The convention, in fact,
mingled the ideas for the output Of
State, national and private energy for
the accomplishment of the ends in view.
The purposes of the movement as set
forth in the resolutions or platform of
the convention may be thus sum-
med up:
To promote the education of the pub
lie upon the whole subject involved, in
order TO command united and intelligent
cooperation of the people. for the rec
lamation of the arid domain, public and
private, conservation and economical
and just distribution of the waters.
and for the development of the arid.
semi-arid and humid districts, and the
preservation and conservation of forest
growth.
To attain these ends it is proposed to
favor flood water storage reservoir con-
struction by the Federal Government.
for food protection, conservation OF
navigation of streams, and to prevent
the waste due to overflow.
The construction of storage reser-
voirs by the Federal Government for
irrigation and for reclamation to set
Element of arid lands.
Leasing of public grazing lands to adj
5acent settlers. the proceeds to be ap-
piled by the State and Territorial jur-
isdictions where collected, to irrigation
development. Where the local juris-
diction has no engineering bureau the
Office of leasing and expenditure to de-
yolve upon the Federal Government
To move upon Congress for generous
legislation for preservation of the for
ests, the reforesting of denuded lands,
the conservation of water and lumber
supplies and the resulting conservation
Of forest interests and the utilization
of our numbering resources.
To secure by national commission adj
justment OF conflicts over use of the
water of Interstate rivers.
The expansion of forest reserves ad-
jacent to the water shed Of streams.
Assumption by the State Of control
Of lands a. delegated to 1t by the Fed
sral Government. and expenditure Of