The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1900-12-08
IRRIGATION CONGRESS NOTES


cago, urging upon President Nc
Kinley the importance of the irri-
CATION and forestry problem and re-
questlng him to in turn urge upon
Congress the advisabi1ity of some
definite action. has done more to
direct public attention to these i'm
portant national questions than any
other one thing. The telegram
was as follows:
To the President. The ninth an
nual session of the National Irri-.
cation Congress now in session in
the City of Chicago, respectfully
urges that in your message to Con-
gress you call attention to the ma
tlonal Importance of the preserva-
ton of our forests and of the extern
ton and conservative use of the
forest preserves, and further that
you emphasize the need of national
action to store the food waters that
now go to waste.
"Save the Forests and Store the
Floods proved popular motto at
the Chicago Irrigation Congress.
It's sessions bore a marked atmos-
phere Of thoughtful consideration
Of how these great objects could be
accomplished and general spirit
Of harmony and cooperation per-
vaded the atmosphere. Much sat
isfaction was expressed at the
growth of the national irrigation
sentiment in the East and the in
terest and active cooperation af-
forded by eastern business men.
Great as is Chicago, with her
people equaling in numbers a third
Of the entire population of the
western half of the United States,
yet the National Irrigation Con-
gress was recognized as the expon-
ent of national movement, and
caused no little local and general
comment. Chicago newspapers de-
voted their columns to its meetings
and Chicago's largest business men
attended them. The great prob
lem of the reclamation of the mill
ions Of arid acres was recognized at
its true value and the incalCulable
benefits to result, appreciated. The
national standing Of the national
irrigation question is an assured
fact.
The following resolutions were
adopted by the Congress:
eve hail with satisfaction the
fact that both of the great political
parties of the nation in the last
campaign declared in favor of the
reclamation of arid America, in or.
der that settlers might build homes
on the public domain, and to that
end we urge upon Congress that
national appropriations commensur
ate with the magnitude of the
problem should be made for the
preservation of the forests and the
reforestation Of denuded areas az
natural storage reservoirs and fo1
the construction by the Nat1ona
Government as part of its policy o
internal improvement of storag'
reservoirs and other works to:
flood protection and to save for us'
in aid of navigation and irrigation
the waters which now run to waste
and for the development of artesial
and subterranean sources OF wate
f supply.
"The waters of all streams shoult
forever remain subject to publ
control and the right of the use G
: water for irrigation should inner
in the land irrigated, and benehcla
use be the basis of measure and tn
: limit of the right.
"The work of building the resel
7 voirs necessary to store the flood
: should be done directly by the gov
| ernment under existing statutes re
| lating to the employment of labo
f and hours of work and under law
that will give to all American cit
= 7ane q free and equal opportun1t