Oakes Republican., 1903-11-20
IRRIGATION MIN IN EARNEST.
Lose No Time in Planning Action to Secure th'
Funds to Which the State Is Entitled.

North Dakotans never indulge in
halfway measures when they take up
any matter that promises benefit to
the state. The irrigation problem is
one that has thoroughly aroused all
our people. The Importance of the
question has impressed itself on all
who have taken any interest in the
subject. The executive committee of
the North Dakota irrigation congress
is determined to push the matter of
securing the funds to which the state
is entitled and held meeting in Fargo
last week at which the matter. was
thoroughly discussed and plan of ac-
ton mapped out.
The meeting was called to order by
Hon. E. A. Williams, president of the
state irrigation congress, and he first
called upon w. H. Brown, secretary Of
the association. to call the roll. The
following gentlemen answered to their
names: N. G. Larimore Of Larimore
and Hugh Ryan Of Grand Forks, repre-
.senting the First judicial district; A.
J. Voigt of Leeds and M. H. Brennan OF
Devils Lake, Second district; l.. B.
Hanna of Fargo and Col. w. H. Robin
son of Mayville, Third district E. G.
Lucas of Lisbon, Fourth district; Sen
ator G. s. Diesem of La Moure and o.
J. Seller of Jamestown. Fifth district;
John Satterlund of Washburn and Dan
Manning, with proxy from w. l.. Rich
ards of Dickinson, Sixth district; ]. d.
Wallace Of Drayton, Seventh district,
and Hon. Alex Mckenzie of Bismarck,
member of the committee at large.
President Williams read the follow.
ing telegram which he had just re
ceived from the president, touching
the recent organizatio min this state:
washington, D. c., Nov. 8, 1903
Hon. E. A.. Williams, President State
Irrigation Congress, Bismarck, N. d.:
congratulate the irrigation congress
of North Dakota. There is no meas
ure with which my administration has
been connected that esteem of more
far-reaching and beneficial importance
than the law insuring the interest and
aid of the national government to irri
cation movement in the West. and
there is no cause more worthy o1
hearty support.
| Theodore Roosevelt"
Secretary Brown read letters from
1 nj oF oSr
club, inviting the committee to meet
in Fargo; T. H. Newell, chief engineer
of the United States geological sur
vey, Washington, D. c., requesting data
| Of the irrigation movement in thif
state for embodiment in his annual re
port to the secretary of the interior
w. l.. Richards of Dickinson. regret
ting his inability to be present, bu
that he had given Mayor Manning his
proxy. Mr. Brown also stated that hi
had received long detail letters sug
gesting irrigation plans for certai1
arid and semi-arid lands west of the
Missouri river, from j. S. Let's, Glad
stone; Hon. T. S. Underhill of Ante
lope and L. N. Cary of Mandan. Ac
companying the letters of Mr.. Cary ant
Mr.. Let's were explanatory plans ant
maps explanatory of the suggestion!
they offered.
President Williams also read let
ters he had received from G. w. Dyke
and Walter R. Vidal, deputy Unitet
States surveyors, which were highl!
encouraging to the irrigation move
ment in hand.
Col. Robinson in brief remarks
stated that it was now up to the com
mittee to take action on the best an.
proper methods to proceed to secur,
the appropriation due this state, ant
it would be wise to take some definit'
action to-day. He would suggest th.
compilation Of pamphlet setting ou
the feasible operations in this state
and there should be a committee to 6,
to the national capital, which. backe'
by the pamphlet, could materially as
sist our state delegation at Washing
ton in urging and pushing forward tn,
principal object at issue, the savin,
Of the appropriation for irrigation t,
which this state is entitled and proven
its passing to other states from whicl
1t will never return, once it is allowe,
70 go.
Mr.. Diesem stated that the idea tina
:. a pamphlet be prepared was the pre-
valing one; that through it's medium
senators and congressman could b.
best informed of the conditions exist
Ing in this state and the feeling of th,
people in that regard.
4. MIR. Hanna deemed the remarks G
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PLANNING A GOOD TIME.