The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-09-23
DATE FIXED
FOR MEETING
PRESIDENT MAXWELL WILL BE
HERE OCTOBER I.
MONTANA WILL SHOW Them
Carload Of Products Of Irrigation Fur.
nishes Object Lesson for
North Dakotans.

Mention was made in last Tuesdays
issue of The Gazette that arrange
ments were making for a meeting in
the city at which President Maxwell
Of the National Irrigation association
would be present and deliver an ad-
dress. At that time the date of the
meeting could not he given, owing to
the uncertainty that existed as to
when Mr.. Maxwell could be here
Since then information has been re-
ceived from the gentleman that he
will be here Saturday, October 1.
Acting on this, the Commercial COM
mittee OF the Billings club has under
taken direction Of the matter and has
arranged for a meeting at 8 O'clock
on the evening OF that date, to be
held at the court house.
1t is especially desired to have a
large attendance of farmers of the
valley, as the questions to be discuss
ed are of particular interest to them
The business men OF the city are also
requested to be present because the
subject of irrigation is one that affects
communal as well as individual inter
ests. President Maxwell is an inter
esting and entertaining, as we'll as
convincing speaker of national repu-
devoting himself means much as re-
CARDS the material progress OF the
west
Much Still to Be Done.
While much has been accomplished,
much still remains to be done in the
advancement of national irrigation.
Under the present law only slow pro-
gress can be made in reclaiming the
arid regions through government aid.
Only so much money as is realized
from time to time from the sales OF
land in the arid states may be applied
to reclamation projects under federal
supervisor. In order that the work
may be expedited and large areas
reclaimed as speedily as possible, the
National Irrigation association is en-
deavoring to secure an amendment to
the law permitting FUNDS in the nation.
al treasury not otherwise appropriated
or needed, to be advanced as loan
on account of irrigation projects, the
money to De paid back as fast as
obtained from the sale OF reclaimed
lands.
In this manner the government
would be reimbursed without danger
OF loss, while at the same time de-
velopment of the arid west would be
greatly hastened. To create more
favorable public sentiment through
out the east is the desire of the asso-
citation of which Mr.. Maxwell is pres
ident and campaign OF education has
been undertaken. AS 1t is essential
that the people of the west cooperate
in the movement, it has been arranged
to hold meetings in all of the states
and territories directly benefited by
national irrigation and familiarize
their people with the new plan OF
hte association.
Montana an Educator.
1t is conceded that Montana stands
foremost among the states where irri-
cation has reached a plane showing
the possibilities to be obtained by the
systematic and intelligent application
of water in the production OF diversi-
fled crops in regions at one time be-
lieved to pc nothing more than dreary
wastes OF unproductive land. Dur
ing the last few years irrigationists
all over the country have been holding
it up as an example of what may be
done through intelligently directed
effotrs in the reclamation of arid
lands. It's fame as producer of al
falfa and grain has become wide and
its fame as producer of fruit and
vegetables is growing rapidly and
soon it will be as well known because
of the one as it is already known be-
cause of the other, and the friends OF
irrigation are constantly holding it up
to its neighbors as an object lesson
not to be regarded lightly. Just now
it is proposed to give the people of