The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-18
PRESERVE LANDL AVS
Strong Sentiment in Irrigation
Congress Against Repeal.

OGDEN. Utah. Sept 17,-That there
will be hard fight against any action
of the national irrigation congress ia
voring the repeal or modification of the
existing land laws was made evident
today. The committee on resolutions
found itself hopeleSsly divided on two
or three questions before it, the desert
land act and the Communication clause of
the homestead act, and tomorrow ma
jority and minority reports will be pre-
scented. The vote on these two, ques-
tionS was II for and 8 against. The
sentiment in favor of the repeal of the
timber and stone act, under which the
opinion was expressed that great
frauds were being perpetrated against
the government, was almost unani-
NOUS
The Idaho delegation held caucus
this afternoon and instructed Con-
gresham French to leave the fight
against action in favor of the repeal of
the existing laws and members of other
Northwestern delegations are also pre-
pairing to oppose to the last any such
action. An attempt, 1t is stated, will be
made to bring the subject before the
congress the moment next years meet
ing place, the vote on which will be
taken on converting in the morning.
has been decided upon and a protracted
debate is looked for before the national
irrigation congress takes its stand as a
body on the existing national land
laws.
This mornings session was almost
entirely devoted to the reading of pa
pers by government experts on irriga-
ton and forestry, headed by their
chief, Secretary of Agriculture Will
son, who gave a comprehensive de-
scription Of the great work the depart
ment of agriculture is doing in the
matter of irrigation.
No session of the congress was
scheduled for this afternoon and nearly
all the delegates visited the model farm
of forty acres conducted by the state at
the deaf, dumb and blind institution.
This entire tract has been devoted to
irrigation experiments.
Senator Newland, of Nevada, was the
first speaker for today. he spoke on
State Cooperation With National r.
rigation."
The committee on nominations will
tomorrow recommend the election of
the following officers for the ensuing
year: President, w. A. Clark, Mon
tana first vice president, L. w: Shurt-
left, Utah. second vice president, w.
c. Johnston, Denver; third vice presi-
dent, John Hall, Texas; secretary, w.
B. Maxson, Reno. New.
The Goblin moth ruined the chances
fruit exhibit of the arid states display.
! Although the exhibit was by. far the
most elaborate; the examination board
promptly turned it down on discover
ing the moth, and the beautiful trophy
was awarded to Idaho.
The Anheuser- Busch cup for the best
display of hops was awarded to Nc
Neff Brothers, of North Yakima, Wash,
and the Pabst cup for the best barley
exhibit from the arid states was given
to the Manhattan Mating company, OF
Manhattan. Mont. ...s1l5sH1 .els--..
At the evening session Frederick w.
Taylor. chief of the department of ag-
riculture at the worlds fair. st. Louis.
spoke on agriculture under irrigation
as shown at the worlds fair.
George P. Maxwell, of the National
Irrigation association, spoke on THE
Victories of Peace" Right here the
fight on the land law question was
brought before the convention. Mr..
Maxwell brought the delegates to their
feet in an eloquent plea to act not for
themselves, but for future generations,
and the irrigation expert was wildly
cheered when he. concluded. William
! E. Smythe, of San Diego, spoke on
THE Influence OF, Irrigation on the
American IDEAL
Addresses We're also made by Con-
| gresham F. E. Brooks, of Colorado,
and Thomas B. Means, of the bureau
of soils, Fresno, Cal. Adjournment
! was taken until a. IN. tomorrow, when
! the speeches of the agricultural bureau
experts will be heard.