The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-09-19
IRRIGATION CONGRESS OPENS
TWENTV-sIx STATES AND TERRI.
TORIES REPRESENTED.
The Irrigation Movement Has Taken
National Aspeet-oadsn Taherna.
eles Too Small for the crowd-oov.
Wells Makes Speech Of Welcome
Senator w. A. Clark Replied.

senator w. y. Clark Replied.
Ogden. Utah. Sept. 16.-Twenty-six
states and territories Of the Union are
represented at the Eleventh National
Irrigation congress, which began four
days session In the Ogden tabernacle
Tuesday. this being the largest num-
Der ever represented since the begin
ming Of the movement for the reclama-
ton Of the arid west. AS showing how
the movement has taken on a national,
instead OF sectional scope. delegates
were present even from New York.
Pennsylvania. Virginia and Vermont.
while from the states Of the western
plains and mountains representatives
OF state and municipal governments
and commercial organizations Of all
kinds came by the hundreds. The
seating capacity OF the tabernacle is
totally inadequate for the crowd in at.
tendance.
A national aspect was lent to the pro
ceedings by the presence OF two rep
.resentatives Of foreign governments
Mexico ard France. while the govern
ment at Washington was represented
by Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson.
At both the morning and afternoon
sessions the building was packed with
interested delegates and the keynote
Of the present congress was expressed
both by Governor Wells Of Utah. in
his speech OF welcome. and President
w. A. Clark In his response. that "the
time has come to do things" was
heartily cheered.
III only congress bad passed the IT.
rigation act instead OF the desert land
many years ago II would have been a
GOdsend TO the western country. and
II would at least have prevented the
wholesale acquisition Of immense areas
| controlling largely the streams and
sources OF water supply In some In
stances by questionable methods. to
the exclusion Of actual settlers In
many cases the actual requirements Of
the law were not complied with and
the prevailing sentiment Is that con-
law from the statute books"
Important results beneficial to the
cause Of irrigation are confidently ar
ticlpated by both delegates and ON.
clals from the present congress, and
the first resolution. introduced by Sen
ator Burton OF Kansas. favorinR the
conserving OF the food waters Of the
great rivers as a part Of the scheme Of
| irrigation OF the west. was received
with so much favor that there seems
to be no doubt that such action viii
be overwhelmingly favored
| Other resolutions. outlining dis
tlnct plan OF forest preservation. are
expected 10 be adopted before the ses-
sions Of the congress close.
Wednesday the subject Of "Coionl-
ration" was taken up and discussed
by men prominent In railway and so
Geological work.
| Next Convention City.
A brisk fight for the honor Of en-
tsrtaininE the delegates to next years
convention Is already under way Up
to this afternoon. FL Paso. Tex. ap-
parently had almost a walkover. but
late in the day the Idaho delegation
one Of the largest Of the congress.
unanimously resolved to support and
| fight for Boise for the honor. Reno.
New, Is also making a brisk fight.
while Portland has many friends. No
opposition to the present officers Of
the congress has developed and the
sentiment seems unanimous for the re-
election Of President w. A. Clark and
other officers.
President Clark caused considerable
Joy by declaring his intention OF lin.
ItIng the speeches to 10 minutes. n
possible. the great number scheduled
and the amount Of work to be accom-
plished rendering some action Of this
kind absolutely necessary.
National irrigation Ode.
Previous to the adjournment Of the
first session a trained chorus Of 200
voices sang the National Irrigation
ode. written by Mrs. Gilbert NJ. Nc
Clurg Of Colorado Springs Fifteen
hundred delegates and spectators
Joined in the chorus to the tune Of
America" and the effect was tremen.
dous. Mrs. McClurg was given an ova.
ton at its conclusion.
Committees on credentials. perma.
nent organization and resolutions were
then provided for. to consist Of one
member from each state and territory
represented and adjournments until
1880 p. m. was taken. Just previous
TO adjournment Secretary Of Agricul.
ture Wilson was introduced amid much
cheering.
To Repeal Land Laws.
It developed at the second days
session that the fight over the propo.
sition to commit the National Irriga.
ton congress in favor OF a repeal OF
several Of the existing land laws. in.
Guiding the desert land act. the tim.
Der and stone act and the commute
tion clause Of the homestead act, will
be very close one. Champions both