The Arizona sentinel., 1903-10-07
IRRIGATioN'S GREAT ALLY.
The Work of the Trans-M Mississippi
 Congress as Affects irrigation.

did much through the 100 dele gates there present in aid of irri gation work on a national scale, and that its influence will be a factor of good for all is not to be doubted, in view of the national prominence of many who partfci pated in the councils of the body
 All the IssueS covered are of interest to tue whole west. Of especial interest to the south west are tbe resolutions in en dorSement of:
 1.-The national irrigation act. 7"
 National engineering works. ,"
 "Repeal of the desert land act aud of communication clause of homestead act"
 "Repeal of the timber and stone act"
 "A national forestry system" :"
 The general preamble to the resolutions shows d depth of un derstanding of conditions as now existing that augurs well for the sincerity of it's sponsors. This says that:
 "The unparalleled era of pros perity through which we are now passing results primarily from the rapid development of the re- sources of our country, a4zd we must preserve those researees if we are to maintain sEaat prospeg- ity. We are dGaV5IIg from na- lures vast Tagltss the Wealth that has been accommodating thorough the ages The wealth, Is in our forests, our mines and our farms. These products are the basis of both our internal and our foreign trade and commerce, and the or iginal source of all employment and labor.
 ''This mighty resource of nat ural wealth must not be wasted or destroyed. Not only should the natural resources of the trans Mississippi region be sys- tematically preserved but the home markets for it's products should be protected.
 "We have d higher destiny as a nation than the mere creation or accumulation of capital. We must preserve and bequeath to future generations the natural resources that will be necessary to tf1eIr material welfare, and without which in the years to come the masses of our people will inevitably be reduced to poverty, and suffer privation and distress.
 Following the resolutions is presented an outline of the policy to be followed, and in this will be noted much of most particular interest to this section, especially such parts as relate to storage reservoirs, irrigation and river levees:
 "We may use and enjoy these vast natural resources without destroying them, and by d wise government policy they may be enormously developed and en- krgad- But if this is to be done:
 Rhe appalling ravages from 5CeEEsS tres must be stopped.
 AsFAe- reckless destruction of our timber resources by careless and wasteful methods of lumber ing must cease.
 '"The forests must be preserV ed by right use, not only as a permanent source of supply for wood and tim per, but as sources of water supply, and great natu- fal reservoirs to hold back the flood waters and lessen the de structiTe volume of floods.
 ""fhe waters that now run to waste must be stored, both for flood protection and for use in irrigation, and to create electric power and for the improvement 0f navigation
 '@Reserxoies should. be built Ehruughs4Hh the mountain regions and wherever practicable in the zsttGral depcessions and basins ef the great plains in the valleys @f the. Missouri and Mississippi x5vers and their tributaries.
 'cphe building of a multitude SF small reservoirs and ponds by damming the draws and coulees s6ould be brought about.
 1'The river channels should be, wherever necessary, deepened, sUraightened and improved, and the banks protected by revet- mentS.
 ''Levees should be built along the rivers for flood protection, and to improve the channels for navigation.
 "The public lands should be held as sacred trust for those. who will build homes upon them, and their rapid absorption into.