The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-16

thought and benefits of the reclama-
ton law There viii many disaD-
pointments, which necessarily await
both the advocate of special projects
and the men whose desire for acconD-
lishe1 results outruns the slow and
steady development of these great UNI
dertakinSs
1t should be borne in mind that
broad survey of all possible projects
gives the conception of their relative
value and that a. work of prime I'M
seem less desira BILE in the light of wider
knowledge. Nor is it wise in large
affairs TO begin construction first and
elaborate details afterwards. Each i'm
Dortant point must be carefully studied
inaacvance- and the whole plan tested
and approved before work can begin.
Yet If we proceed both cautiously
ana perslstently under this beneficent
law, we may confidently expect, the
largest possible development of our
arid lands and their settlement by in
dustrious, prosperous, self-respecting
men and women, who will exchange the
products of mills and factories through
out the United States. Communities
fiourishing in what is now the desert
VIII finally take their places among the
strongest pillars of our common
THE irrigation development of the
arid west cannot stand alone. Forestry
IS the companion and support of irri-
CATION Without forestry irrigation
must fail Permanent irrigation de-
veiopment and forest destruction can
not exist together. Never forget that
the forest reserve policy of the national
government means the use of all the
resources of the forest reserves There
is little profit in destruction compared
with use. The settlement of the great
arid west by the makers of homes is
the central object both of the irrigation
and the forest policy of the United
States. In forestry, as in irrigation, the
immediate private interests of some in
dividual must occa sionaily yield to
their permanent advantage. which is
the public good The benefits of fores-
try are not only for the future. but for
the present The forest reserves are for
all the people in the Immediate neigh
borhood for whom supplies of wood and
water are among the first necessities of
life. With the wiser and more skill
full management Of the reserves by
trained men. the greater obviously will
their usefulness be to the public. We
must never allow our chagrin at tenn
pOrary defeat and difficulties in the
management of the forest reserves to
blind US to the absolute necessity of
these reserves to the people of the west.
Support of the forest reserve policy has
grown with Wonderful rdpidity in the
west during the last few years 1t VIII
continue to grow until the last vestige
of opposition, now almost gone, mas
WHOLLY disappeared DeIOEO tiIC u uS
Outstanding of the object and the effect
of the forest reservation. The greater
the support of the forest reserve by
the people of the west, the greater the
assurance that the national irrigation
policy will not fail, for the preservation
of the forests is vital to the success OF
this policy.
United States Senator Burton, of KAN
sas, was then introduced and delivered
the first formal address of the congress.
TT nd O
Conservation of Water for the Preven-
ton of Floods" Senator Burton made
strong plea for the control of the flood
water at the head of the Mississippi and
other tributary rivers, this work TO De
done in conjunction with the Jetty ana
levee systems of the lower Mississippi.
1T would seem at a glance" he said,
that it We're more intelligent to har-
ness the flood waters instead of trying
to control the floods. Let us not forget
that water in motion is almost unman-
ageable. But still water can be harness
ed and controlled asawe control tracta-
BILE steed."o ai, tl -r.,..-ar
Senator Burton introduced the follow
ing resolution, which was received with
considerable enthusiasm:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
congress that the storage of water in the
extensive catchment of the streams for
the prevention of floods, as well as for
power and irrigation. is both possible
ment can accomplish as much or more
towards the preservation of life and pro-
perty in the lower reaches of the
streams by directing its efforts in this
way toward the prevention of floods,
than it can by it's present method in
trying to control them by the leVee sys-
TEN. and the water thus conserved
would be of inestimable value and
blessing to the people in the arid and
semi-arid districts. We believe that ir-
rigation and flood prevention are twin
ideas to be developed together"
Last night the most elaborate social
feature of the programme of entertain
ment was given in the Kiesel building,
consisting of a reception and ball given
by President Clark and the citizens OF
Ogden.
After the session Senator Clark said:
This is the largest and best of all the
irrigation congresses. 1t indicates an
awakening in the public mind to the inn
portance of irrigation and the storage OF
waters with government aid The at
tendance has exceeded my greatest ex-
pectation. When the exhibit of grains
and grasses and fruits and sugar beets
grown under irrigation IS opened for IN
spection. it will surprise everyone who
sees it. as it has always surprised me.
and will be an object lesson to all of
what the arid lands of the west can
produce after the water is supplied.
.rrrp x-T1UcEN naUSTSD NEEUn9