The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1903-09-18
IRRIGATION CONGRESS OPENS
TWENTY-SIX STATES AND TERRI'
TORIES REPRESENTED.
The Irrigation Movement Has Taken
a National Aspect-Ogden Taberna'
cIes Too Small for the CroWd-Gov.
Wells Makes Speech of Welcome
Senator w. A. Clark Replied.

Ogden, Utah, Sept. 16.-Twenty-slx
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 now
the movement has taken on 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 and 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
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.
eff only congress had passed the ir-
rigation act instead of the desert land
many years ago it would have been a
Codsend to the western country, and
it 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 we're not complied with and
the prevailing sentiment is that con-
gress should make haste to wipe that
Important results beneficial to the
cause of irrigation are confidently an
ticipated by both delegates and off,
cials from the present congress, and
the first resolution introduced by Sen
ator Burton of Kansas, favoring the
conserving of the flood waters Of the
great rivers as 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 will
be overwhelmingly favored.
Other resolutions, outlining a dis.
tinct plan of forest preservat' n, are
expected to be adopted befc~o - ses-
sions Of the congress close.
Wednesday the subject of "Coloni-
zation" 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-.
PERTAINING the delegates to next years
convention is already under way. Up
to this afternoon, Ell Paso, Tex. ap-
parently had almost 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 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, If
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 M. 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 it's 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
1:3O p. m. was taken. Just previous
to adjournment Secretary of Agricul-
ture Wilson was introduced amid much
cheering.
Message From Mr.. Roosevelt.
A message from President Roosevelt
was received during the afternoon.