Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-15
IRRIGATION CONGRESS
Trans Mississippi Delegates
Thronging to Ogden.
OPENED THIS MORNING
WELT READ TO GATHERING.
Governors, Senators, Secretary Wilson
and Other Prominent Men Will
Make Addresses.

OGDEN, Utah, September 15.-With dele
gates present from eleven states west Of the
Mississippi river, representing practically
every commercial organization in the great
territory included in the semi-arid and arid
region Of the country and the state and
municipal governments, the eleventh ses-
sion Of the national irrigation congress
opened here today.
The sessions will continue until Friday,
and during that time much important ac-
ton Is expected to be taken looking toward
the reclamation of the vast unsettled terri
tory of the west.
Among the speakers will be United States
senators and governors of half dozen
states of the west, government experts in
forestry and irrigation and representatives
of many commercial organizations and colo
nization movements.
Delegates continue to pour into the city,
every train arriving this morning bringing
In hundreds interested in the work of the
congress.
Meeting Opened.
Although the first meeting was scheduled
for $50 am, 1t was considerably beyond
that time when President w. A. Clark as
cended the platform of the tabernacle, in
which the meetings are to be held, and
raped for order. The venerable John H.
Winder, one of the counseuors of President
Joseph H. Smith. delivered brief invoca-
ton. at the conclusion of which Governor
Wells of Utah warmly welcomed the dele
gates in behalf of the pioneer irrigation
state. Mayor William Glassman of Ogden
was then introduced and delivered an ad-
dress of welcome on behalf of the city.
The following letter to the national irrf-
cation congress from President Roosevelt
was then read:
Letter From the President
"Mr. Fred ]. Kiesel. Chairman Executive
Committee. the National Irrigation Con-
gress. Ogden. Utah.
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 / regard this as
opening new era in the treatment Of irri-
cation from the national standpoint None
of our internal policies will be more con-
sequent to the future Of the country during
the next few decades than this matter of
irrigation. 1t is of vital consequence to the
1nter-mountain states and to the entire
semi arid region, and what is of vital con-
of vital consequence to the whole country.
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
letter from Secretary of the Interior
Hitchcock was also read.
Letter From Hitchcock,
Gilbert McClurg. Esq. General Represen-
tative Executive Committee, the Nation
al Irrigation Congress, Ogden. Utah:
Dear Sir: I assure you Of my very ac-
tive interest in all matters relating to irri-
cation or the reclamation of arid lands, the
possibilities of which cannot be over-esti-
mated in the interest of all the people Of the
whole country. but more especially Of the
sections lying between the Rockies and the
Mississippi river.
Much good work in the way of prelimi-
nary surveys. estimates, etc., has already
been done. and no time has been or will be
lost by the department in meeting the con-
ditions and requirements of the reclamation
act.
1T has also been a source of great pleas
ure to me to have been in any way identt-
fled with this great work, and assure you
that every effort will be made on my part
to fully meet the expectations and desires
of the members of the convention, whose
deliberation. 1 am sure will be most in
structive and which I shall read with in
terest.
(Signed) "E A. HITCHCOCK