The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-11-11
Local Interest
In Irrigation
Convention in Session at Pendle.
ton Means Benefit to the
Entire State.

Considerable local interest is being
manifested In the irrigation convention
nav in progress at Pendleton, while at
the same time ii is conceded that it viii
not be necessary to employ any such
methods. as set forth by the delegates,
In this immediate section, one business
man EXPRESSED the opinion that the
prosperity of the state as whole de-
rends upon the prosperity OF each part
and added that Astoria would realize IN
time a genuine benefit from the result
of irrigation If carried on successfully
in the eastern part OF the state.
Dispatches from Pendleton convey
the intelligence that great interest has
been assured there by the gathering
together " the delegates who were
warmly welcomed by the mayor in an
address. The mayor said in part;
I'VE have met here today, gentlemen,
incidently to enjoy the pleasure OF meet
ing, but primarily to be the forerunners
In a work which I hope and sincerely
believe will be On epoch In the history
of Oregon. You know and know that
so far as the semiarid or easternportion
of our state is concerned, It Is apparent
that we have practically reached the
limit Of our productive capacity with
out irrigation, Our forefathers who
this great state and brought
IL up to its present state gave to us
great heritage. They used every means
within their power during their time
and. as the small boy ON the street says
Now it's up to us to do the rest" and
the only way to do it is to put the
water on the land"
Ex-Governor Geer, who was one OF
the speakers at the first session OF the
said. the possibilities of
eastern Oregon were unlimited with
large irrigation systems in existence.
He said the population of the state
would increase from 100000 to SOoOo,OO0
IL the semi-arjd regions were properly
irrigated. His talk was principally
on the subject of bringing more people
into the state. and this could be done
rapidly, he said. with proper irrigation.
Pendleton, Nov. 10 The morning
session of the irrigation convention
was taken UP with the addresses OF
Professor A. B. Leckenby, Teaching
Lands Irrigation West
OF the Cascades" by DR.. James Witty
comb, and one by o. K. Goodman OF
Freewater. on Irrigation in Milton and
the Freewater District" the last paper
eliciting considerable discussion.
The resolution committee made re-
port favoring the Lewis and Clark ex-
position and endorsing the move to re-
peal the timber and stone act, the des-
ert land act and the communication
Clause Oh tIle HOIiiSStchh LeN"S'
The afternoon session opened with
heated discussion of the latter portion
of the committees report. but it was
finally adopted, although the opposition
continued to the end. The association
then elected the following officers:
President, H. Devers, Of Portland;
first president, Will R. King, OF
Ontario; second vice-president, A. c.
Carbine, of Union: treasurer, T. W.
Wright, of Union; secretary E. P,
Dodd, Of Pehdleton: assistant secre-
tary, C. C. Hunt, of Ontario.
After indorsing Portland as the ma
tional meeting place for the national
in 1905. the association ad-
iourned late this afternoon, to meet at
Ontario next year.