Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-06
MINNESOTANS ON IRRIGATION
Distinguished Party Steps on Way to Iriga-
tiOn Congress in OolSrads
FOUR coNGRESsSEN ARE IN THE PARTY
Enthusiastic over RecIaiming Mil
lions of Acres of Arid Land
and AnOrdinE Homes for
Needy Settlers.

spent the greater part of Sunday in Omaha,
enroute to Colorado Spring to attend the
annual convention OF the National Irriga-
tion congress. In the party were: Con-
gressmen James A. Tawney, Winona, First
district; Joel p Heatwole, Northfeld, Third
district; Fred c. Stevens. St. Paul, Fourth
district, and Page Morris, Duluth, Sixth
district; n. F. Beardsley OF the Chamber
of Commerce of st. Paul. Dan w. Lawler,
T. l.. Schurmeier, Marcus johnson, Prof.
Thomas Shaw. editor Of the Farmer, st.
Paul; Charles Heffelfnger. E. ]. Phelps
and W. II. Dunwoody, Minneapolis, and
Albert L. Preston, secretary Of Duluths
Commercial club.
The delegation was organized by the
Chamber OF Commerce of st. Paul, upon
special invitation from the executive
officers Of the National Irrigation congress.
President James J. Hill OF the Northern
Securities company and the Great Northern
railroad had planned to attend the conven-
tion, but was unable to carry out his de-
sires He placed one Of his special cars
at the disposal of the party, which came
In in the morning and went out shortly
| before p. m. The interval was occupied
in a tally-ho ride over the city and a visit
to the Country club, where many Of the
company limbered up on the links.
Minnesota DeepIy Interested.
I'VE are not in the group Of states which
this act is designed to benefit" said Rep
resentative Tawney, but Minnesota is pro-
foundly concerned in the matter OF irriga-
tion. national irrigation. From our TIRES
hold we can look upon the great expanse
OF territory, comprising 500, ,000. 900 acres of
arid land in sixteen sister states, for the
reclamation OF which this legislation was
CO hot nd m he
benefited by the measure. The excellent
transportation facilities right at our door
place us in a most advantageous position to
reap incalculable benefit from people who
will settle upon these broad acres. But II
| that were the only reason we were inter-
ested in national irrigation we would in
deed be a selfish lot. We are interested as
Americans and as the people Of every state
ought to be. To my mind this is the great
est national issue now before the American
people. II stands second TO no other vital
question and must be compared, in impor-
tance to such questions in the past as slav-
cry. This question is one which affects the
| life of our nation as the question of slavery
affected the life Of our nation. This ma
tional irrigation act has for it's purpose the
opening up and settlement OF millions OF
acres OF land now standing idle for the
I
1t means the provision OF homes for thou
sands OF families and I tell you, this couh-
| try needs more such homes as can only be
found in the heart of the great west. This
| question OF homes Is one of stupendous i'm
port, which no American can afford to ig-
more.
No New Legislation Now.
Congress has done all that is necessary
to set this movement going. II has passed
a bill which all the nation lauds. No further
legislation be the next congress will be nee
essary that can see. What must be done
now is for every state in the union, east
as we'll as west, to bend its best energies
for the promotion Of this great scheme of
home industry-home industry in the truest
sense OF the word. Chickering's and jealousiee
between states will mar the good work
It is the desire OF President Roosevelt
himself a most ardent exponent of this
movement and OF congress that full CO.
operation of the states should prevail.
There is greater scarcity OF available
agricultural land in the United States than
one might at first think. The fact Of the
enormous emigration from the northwestern
and central western states of our country
to western Canada during the last two
years is proof Of this increasing scarcity
This is matter which demands atten.
tion."
Mr.. Tawney's sentiments aptly voiced
those Of the other members of the party
all of whom displayed great interest in
the scheme of irrigation. Their going out
to the convention signifies that. No mis-
sion Of special import prompts their trip;
they have no ak to grind, they declare
but are willing to put their shoulders tc
the wheel and help push a good thing
along" as one Of the party expressed 1t.
Nothing for Congress to Do.
Asked IL any proposed legislation for the
next congress was likely to arise from
this convention, Congressman Stevens Of
st. Paul said: 81 don't see what coult
arise. Congress has done about all that Il
necessary along that line for the present
II now remains for its act to be given
practical test"
Aside from the four congressman, all re,
publicans, the Minnesota delegation con,
tained another active politician, or rather
one who has been more active than a
present. Dan w. Lawler, who only a yeal
and half ago resigned as general counse
of the Great Western railroad made tn,
race once for governor OF Minnesota OF
the democratic ticket. faring, as all bu
one candidate has Jared, in that state. Mr.
( LAWYER mas always Deen closely amlldte(
with the J. J. Hill faction in politics
While all the four republicans spoke will
assurance of the success OF their party II
state and congressional elections in Mime
sofa this fall. Mr.. Lawler displayed n
enthusiasm over the possibility of demo
cratic victory. He thought the nominee 70
governor, L. A. Rosing would make
good fight against Governor Van SAINT. bu
stopped talking before venturing his wor
that Rosing would be elected.
VIII Carry Whole state.
Congressman Fred C. Stevens of St. Pau
who is a candidate for reelection, said:
Il look for the old-time republican vic
tory in Minnesota this year. Since the re
spportionment OF the state by the last reg
ular session OF the legislature we have tw
new congressional districts, making nine Fl
all and my honest opinion is that we vii
carry them all. / think even John Lind o
Minneapolis, former governor, the only dem
? ocrat ever elected to that ONCE In our stat
and a man OF unquestioned politica
strength. will be defeated in the Fifth dis
trict, where he is running for congress
against Representative Loren W. Fletcher
As to Governor Van SAINT, | think his eec
tion Is practically assured, but / beliey