The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-19
PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESI-
DENT OF IRRIGATION con-
GRESS ELECTED YESTERDAY.


improves. but for the present a serious him
drance TO the usefulness of the reserves;
third. the sudden disturbance Of business
ditons when reserve is created has some
times in the past occasioned serious losses to
legitimate business enterprises. When,
sometimes happens. the continued use of an
area set aside forest reserve 1t
used before is no longer compatible with the
public interests, then. unless the public good
absolutely demands sudden action which is
but rarely the case. these private enterprises
should be given time to adjust themselves to
the approaching change.
When ignorance of the objects of forest re-
serves disappears. opposition them disap-
pears with II. 1t is gratifying in the highest
degree that the opposition to the forest reserve
policy Of the Government at one time so eX-
tensive and important throughout the West.
has almost entirely disappeared. The West is
now practically united in support OF the forest
reserves. Occasionally opposition still appears
where private interests or private desires con-
fict with the best good Of the people as a
whole. or where ignorance of the forest re-
serve policy yet remains but general opposi-
ton to that policy no longer exists in any
State. The sentiment in favor of the protec-
ton of water and of other interests in the
West, through the protection OF its forests
awaits but the adjustment OF a few differences
10 become unanimous.
This cleared the decks for the fight for
next years convention and there was no
delay in starting it.
Lengthy speeches were cut off by a
time limit of five minutes put on nomi-
mating speeches. Boise Idaho; st. Jo-
named and seconded. The roll was then
called. The first ballot resulted
FL Paso 205, Boise 147, St. Joseph S. The
Boise delegation moved to make the nom
ination of FL Paso unanimous and it was
carried with a roar of cheers
OFFICERS CHOSEN.
The committee on permanent organiza-
ton then made its report. recommending
the selection of officers as follows:
President w. A Clark Montana: first vice
president W c Johnston Denver: third vice
president. John Hall Texas: secretary. H b
Maxson Reno Nevada: and the following
executive committeeman: Arizona B. A.
Fowler; California c. b. Booth; Colorado
Gilbert McCIurg; Idaho F; 3, Roed; Illinois.
F. c Tapping; Iowa. H. c. Wallace; Kansas
c: A. Schneider; Minnesota, Thomas Shaw;
Strain: New Mexico G. A. Richardson; North
Dakota. D. E Willard; Oregon. NJ A. Wordy;
Pennsylvania l. NJ. Lightner South Dakota
Wesley Stewart Texas. James A. Smith;
Fletcher; Wisconsin, Clarke Gapen; Wyom-
ing. Fennimore Chatterton.
The report was adopted unanimously
The report of the committee on resolu-
lions and platform was then presented
and the delegates settled themselves
for the big fight of the congress
Before debate on the report of the COM
mittee on resolutions was taken up at the
afternoon session an amendment to the
majority report was made, commencing
the plan of State commissions such as
exists in Utah, to work in collaboration
with the Government in the great irriga-
ton projects. Resolutions of thanks to
the Oregon Short Line for its courtesies.
and to Utah, the city of Ogden and the
press were also adopted. A motion to
limit the time of debate to three speakers
on each side. giving each speaker fifteen
minutes, was adopted.
Former Congressman Shafroth of Colo
RADIO opened the debate in speech
against the repeal of the land laws as
embodied in the majority report of the
committee on resolutions.
SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED.
Shafroth was followed by Attorney
General Donovan of Montana in favor of
the majority report. Congressman Mon
dell of Wyoming followed in the negative
and William E. Smythe of Los Angeles
in the affirmative. Colonel John P. Irish,
against the report. and George S. Max
well of Chicago. in it's favor, closed the
formal debate. Under the five-minute
rule w. T. johnson of Colorado, G. L.
Miller Of Kansas, Congressman French of
Idaho and former Senator Carey of Wy
omlng spoke against the majority report
d. Clark Gapen of Wisconsin, Colonel
Graves of Minnesota, Congressman
Reeder of Kansas and Senator Gibson of
Montana spoke in its favor. Congress
man Needham of California offered a
substitute for both reports, as follows:
Whereas. the timber and stone act. the
desert land law and the Communication clause
of the homestead have in many instances
in their administration been found result
in speculation and in monopoly of the public
domain TO the exclusion Of actual home build
ing therefore be ii
Resolved that request the Congress Of
the United States to make such notifications
in said laws will save the remaining pub
lie land for actual settlers who will found
homes and live upon said lands.
Amid considerable confusion the roll
was called and resulted in the adoption
of the Needham resolution by a vote of
PIP to 14S.
Congressman Brooks of Colorado of
fered several other amendments to the
majority report relating to State and ma
tional supervision of water distribution
on the ground that they are inconsistent
with the national irrigation laws. The
majority report, amended, was then
carried by a viva voce vote
Mrs. Gilbert McClurg of Colorado
offered a resolution favoring Indian corn