The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-15
IRRIGATION
CONGRESS.
Eleven States Represented in
the Eleventh Session
Which Opened at Ogden, Utah,
This Morning.
w. A. CLARK PRESIDES
No Such Enthusiasm at Any
Previous Meeting.
Body Was Welcomed in a
Speech by the Mayor.
w. A. CLARK PRESIDEs


Ogden. Utah, Sept. 15.-With dele
gates present from eleven states west
of the Mississippi river, representing
practically every commercial organiza-
ton in the great territory included in
the semi-arid and arid region of the
country and the state and municipal
governments, the eleventh session Of
the National Irrigation congress opened
here today. The sessions will continue
until Friday. and during that time
much important action is expected to
be taken looking toward the reclama-
ton of the vast unseDsed territories of
the west that but await the touch of
water to blossom and bear fruit. Not
since the beginning of the movement
looking toward government aid in a
vast scheme of irrigating the arid west
has such interest been taken in the
meetings of the irrigation congress, and
durins the four days session irrigation
and its kindred subjects. forestry and
colonization. will not only be discussed
but practical illustrations of what irri-
cation is doing for the west will be
given. Among the speakers will be
United States senators and governors
of half a dozen states of the west and
government experts in forestry and irri-
cation and representatives of many
commercial organizations and coloni-
cation movements.
Delegates continue to pour into the
city, every train arriving this morning
bringing in hundreds interested in the
work of the cOngres.
Although the first meeting was
scheduled FOR o.39 a. m. il was consid
erably beyond that time when President
w. A. Clark ascended the platform of
haFnaplp n 1a.
are to be held and raped for order
The venerable president, John Winder
one OF the counsellors of President Jo-
seph Smith, delivered a brief invoea-
tion. at the conclusion of which Mayor
-AWilliam Glassman of Ogden was intro
duced and delivered an address of well
come on behalf of Utah.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME
Mayor Glassman said:
4 congratulate you and the people of
the arid section of the United States in
being able to convene in session during
this congress and contemplate the en-
Joyment of the fruits of the unceasing
toll and labor of eleven years in behalf
of irrigation in the United States
For eleven years the irrigators nf
this country have met wear after wear
with one great object in view-to secure
national aid. Everlastingly keeping at it
has caused this government under the
leadership of President Roosevelt, to
grant us several million dollars annual
~ 4 Ht HlcSl dIQGDL lIIl2aIOr could not
ask for a more liberal appropria ton
"A prominent eastern newspaper has
asked the question, What is the need
OF any more irrigation congresses now
that the government has set aside the
receipts of the public lands for the re-
clamation of the arid west?' 1 want to
say there is more need for an irrigation
congress today and in the future than
there ever was. True. you have the
money appropriated by the government
10 10 rarfRr RrfI r7rrrx-
or this congress to see that this money
is properly used and not misapplied or
wasted. You have greater work before
you at this session than at any time
during the eleven years history of the
irrigation congress- You must be able
10 provide a plan for the expenditure of
the millions Of dollars set aside for our
cause which will meet the approval of
the secretary of the interior and the ma
tonal congress 1t will be your privil-
edge to adopt system for the sale Of
the reclaimed lands that viii meet the
approval of the American people-a
system that viii be a blessing to the
genuine settlers. 1t must be as meritOri-
Gus If not excel the famous homestead
law signed by that greatest of modern
Americans. Abraham Lincoln.
As your host for the next four days.
/ extend to you every hospitality the
CITY AFFORDS / wecome you on behalf of
/. the good men and women of Ogden and
NeNtend to you every courtesy and our
s'Nhospitality. Accept it. partake of it.,
y nd ne one OF us while you are here"
p President Clark then responded on be-
half Of the National Irrigation congress
The following letter to the National Ir-
ligation congress from President Roose-
welt was then read:
ROOSEVELT'S LETTER
Mr. Fred J. Kiesel chairman execu-
tive committee, the National Irrigation
congress. Ogden. Utah.
My Dear Sir:-Permit me to express
to
my hearty congratulations uopn what
has been accomplished in the year that
has just passed, especially because re-
gard this as opening new era in the
treatment of irrigation from the nation
81 standpoint. None of our internal
policies will be more consequent to the
future of the country during the next
Few decades than this matter of irriga-
tlon. 1t is of vital consequence to the
Ihtermountain states and to the entire
ssmi-arid region. and what is of vital
ohsequence to one portion of our coun-
country.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT. -
secretary of the Interior Hitchcock's s
leIter was also read
II was as follows.
eIlioert McClurg, ESQ. General Repre-
sentative Executive Committee the
Utah.
Dear Sir:-I beg to acknowledge re-
eF' ~ Sout idNof or July 70. which
found awaiting my return to the city a
rev DAYS ago, inviting me to be the
EuesI or the citizens of Ogden, and Of
.ne state or Utah. at the National Irri-
gatlon congress to be held September
19-le, and regret that I am unable to
accept your very courteous invitation. I
snalI be very busy at that time. prepar-
ing my annual report but assure Won
OF my very active interest in ALI mat
ters relating to irrigation or the re-
ciamatlon Of arid lands. the possibilities