Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-02-27
SAVAGE HEADS THE CONGRESS
Nebraska's Governor Presides Over Inter-
state Irrigation Convention.
DECLARES PLAN As OLD As EDEN
Urges that Platte valley ne Made to
Blossom and Yield IS Fruitfully
Maxwell Argues for
Forestry.

STERLING, Colo, Feb. 26.-(Special
Telegram AT the opening session OF the
Interstate Irrigation congress here today
Governor Savage OF Nebraska was elected
president and ]. d. Stires OF Nebraska
secretary. In making his opening address
Governor Savage said he came not as =
teacher, but as a pupil Of irrigation. He
was a willing sympathizer in the educa-
tional movement along that line and be-
lieved that the work done by this congress
would spread 10 all parts of the globe and
result in much good. Many were preju-
diced against irrigation, he said, thinking
that It was some new-fangled notion. He
cited the garden Of Eden as having ex-
listed under a system Of irrigation, and that
by proper system OF canals and reservoirs
the great Platte valley would be another
garden of Eden.
George H. Maxwell, legislative chairman
Of the National Irrigation association, ad-
dressed the convention for two hours. He
contended that the preservation OF the for
ests was the foundation Of all irrigation,
and predicted that unless the forests OF
Colorado were preserved all irrigation de-
velopment would eventually come to
naught, because the water supply would
decrease and gradually fail II the forests
were destroyed. He drew a strong and
grsphic picture OF The desolation that had
resulted in other parts of the world from
forest destruction.
Mr.. Maxwell referred to the presidents
message of confirmation of his contention
that forest preservation meant the best
use of the forests, and not their withdrawal
from use, and that they should be properly
administered as a business proposition for
a L.. - a. .t.zI-
rihced for the greed of the few.
Wyoming and Nebraska Represented
Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska are
represented in the Irrigation congress,
which met at the opera house this after
noon. There are about seventy-hve dele
gates, including Governor Savage and q
large delegation from Nebraska.
George H. Maxwell, executive chairman
OF the National Irrigation association, de-
livered an address. He commended the
idea Of promoting by such a convention, &
harmonious sentiment between the thret
states OF Colorado, Wyoming and Ne
braska. He said that one state could moi
accomplish as much for it's own beneh
by acting solely from a selfish standpoint
as 1t could by working along broad line.
that would consider and embrace whatever
was best for the welfare OF all of them
He impressed upon the convention the fac
that the national irrigation movement was
not planned, nor was It being carried ou
with any idea of interfering in any wa,
with private enterprises. On the con.
trary. be raid. itswRs one OF ths purposes
OF the National association to aid ant
stimulate sound and legitimate enterprise.
which could be carried out without gov
ernment aid or intervention. He said tha
the purpose was to get the government t
| build only such works as were reasonabl!
practicable for private enterprise.
Present Conditions Encouraging.
He commented on the local conditions
In the region about Sterling. and said tha
the fact that the existing irrigation ditche
were controlled by cooperative companies
owned by the landowners themselves, wa
an encouraging fact, because such SYSTEM
had everywhere tended to a larger ant
more permanent prosperity.
"If there are anywhere within you
reach" said Mr.. Maxwell, "opportunitie
to increase or make more certain the waite
supply for your bitches, by all means or
| ganize your local people and build tn
reservoirs. Do not wait for the govern
ment to help YOU"
| A letter from Governor 0rman Of Colo
rado, who was unable to attend the con
vention, was read. 1t said:
| 1t appears to me 1t would be a wise pla
on the part of the government for tn
! present at least TO confine itself to tn
! systematic study of the streams and waite
sources, obtain and collect reliable infor
/ nation and data as to the capacity of tn
| streams, both during high and low waite
| periods, the amount of waste at unuse
| seasons, the best location for the construC
| ton of reservoirs to conserve the waters
| taking into consideration the best points @
| vantage for it's distribution and utilization
| When this has been determined, then, n
doubt, II the government does not care
| would be sufficient reliable data at hand {
| enable private individuals and corporati tion
| to proceed with the project, knowing tha
| ultimately success awaited them.
UTAH IRRlGAT0RS NEE