The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-09-15
Ogden, Utah, Sept. Is.

.OSQeu, ULdu, OepI. 1o.
The National Irrigation Congress
began it's eleventh annual session in
the Ogden tabernacle this morn
ing at 10 o'clock with 1900
delegates, representing some 26|
states and territories Every state
and territory west of the Mississippi
river had delegates present, and there
were very many in attendance from
the District Of Columbia. Several
governors of western states were
present.
Hon. Fred J. Kiesel, chairman Of
the executive committee, read the Of
fetal call, and then an eloquent pray
er was offered by Bishop John +.
Winder Of Salt Lake City. Senator
w. A. Clark OF Montana, president Of
the congress, then called the cOnven-
ton to order, after which the follow
ing message from President Roose-
velt was read, eliciting tremendous
enthusiasm:
"Oyster Bay, N. Y,
My Dear Sir:
Permit me to express through you
to the Irrigation Congress my hearty
congratulations upon what has been
accomplished in the year that has
just passed, especially because l re-
gard this as opening new era in the
treatment of irrigation from the ma
tiOnal standpoint. None Of our inter-
nal policies will be of more cOnse-
quence to the future of the country
during the next few decades than his
matter of irrigation. 1t is Of vital
consequence to the intermountaln
states and to the entire semi-ari1 re-
gion, and what is of vital consequence
to one portion of our country is Of
vital consequence to the whole coun-
try. ''Sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
MIR. FRED J. KIESEL,
"Chairman Executive Committee,
The National Irrigation Congress,
ogden, Utah.
A symbolic and inspiring ode to If
rigation was sung with fine feeling
by the thoroughly drilled choir of the
tabernacle, Of 200 voices. The music
was composed by the Organist OF the
Salt Lake City tabernacle, Mr.. }. j.
Mcclellan, and the prize ode to irri-
cation was written by Mrs. Gilbert
McClung of Colorado Springs and was
unanimously chosen over so cOmpet-
ing odes. The ode is virile, pictur-
esque and peculiarly appropriate to
the occasion. It describes the march
Of the races from the Pueblo and the
Indian to the pioneer.
Governor Heber NJ. Wells OF Utah,
delivered an address Of welcome IN
behalf Of the state of Utah, which was
followed by an address Of welcome by
Hon. VIM. Glassman, mayor Of Ogden,
in behalf Of the city of Ogden, and by
ex-senator Frank J. Cannon Of Ogden.
President Clark responded to the ad-
dress Of welcome in behalf of the del
egates and officers Of the congress.
The following letter from Hon. E.
A. Hitchcock, secretary Of the inter
ior was then read:
"Gilbert McClurg, Esq,
Gen. Representative, Exec, Com,
National Irrigation Congress,
ogden, Utah.
Dear Sir:
Il beg to acknowledge receipt OF
your favor Of July Goth. which | found
waiting my return to the city few
days ago. inviting me to be the guest
of the citizens of Ogden, and Of the
state of Utah. at the National Irriga-
ton Congress to be held September
15th-1Sth. and regret that l am I'M
able to accept your very courteous in
vitation l shall be very busy. at that
time. preparing my annual report, but
I assure you Of my very active inter
est in all matters relating to irriga-
tion or the reclamation Of arid lands,
the possibilities OF which cannot be
over-estimated in the interest OF all
the people of the whole country, but
more especially of the sections lying
between the Rockies and the Nississ-
ippi river.
Much good work, in the way Of
preliminary surveys and estimates has