The San Francisco call., 1905-08-22
IMMIGRATION QUESTION
AGAIN TO THE FORE.
Brought Up in Irrigation Congress

PORTLAND. Aug. 21-'RecIama-
tion" and its kindred subjects are ap-
parently to share honors with undo
sirable immigration" in the delibera-
uons OF the National Irrigation Con-
Sress, which was opened in the Lewis
and Clark Auditorium to-day for q four
days session. The subject of "inmi-
grafton" did not appear to be unex-
pected, nor was its Importance mimi
Inizeo by Governor George c Pardee
OF California, president of the con-
gress. Governor Pardee thrice read
the motion OF William z. Smythe of
California to appoint q committee to
ascertain If action by the congress is
feasible IN solving the problem Of for
eign immigration, and then asked
any delegate in the hall who had
failed TO hear the motion to please
come to the front and hear 1t
read SD as to vote intelligibly on its
disposition. A feature of the day was
the reading by Clifford Pinchot, chief
forester of the United States. Of a
message 10 the congress from Presi-
dent Roosevelt
1.-TWO THOUSAND ATTEND.
The convention opened auspiciously.
No less than 1000 persons were present
when the presidents gavel fell call
number was swelled to twice that mag
nitude before the congress had been
In session an hour. At the night SeS-
sion hundreds OF people were turned
away from the auditorium who had
~been attracted by the fact that a Sc
lection by the great Mormon Church
Choir, 200 voices strong. Of Ogden,
Utah, was on the programme, as well
as by the fact that United States Dis
trict Attorney Francis ]. Heney made
his appearance on a rostrum for the
first time since he began the prosecu-
tion OF the notorious land fraud cases.
Governor George c. Pardee of Cali
fornia, president OF the congress, called
the convention to order Governor
George E. Chamberlain welcomed the
congress to Oregon. Governor Cham
berlain prefaced his welcome by en-
phes;zing the Importance OF irrigation.
he criticized severely the existing
laws, which he believed to be lacking
especially In comforting sufficient pow
er to condemn private property. Mayor
Harry Lane OF Portland extended @
cordial welcome in behalf Of the city.
Governor Albert E. Mead of Wash
ington was the first Of the visitors to
respond. He made a brief address IN
favor of irrigation.
Congressman J. H. Stevens OF Texas
in his response agreed with Governor
Chamberlain's assertion that the recla-
nation law is faulty and advocated
such reconstruction OF the arid land
law as would both extend II and make
It efrectuaL He thought especially that
the provision which allowed New Mex
ico, In the confines OF which the three
big rivers which traverse Texas have
their source, TO obtain a portion Of the
reclamation funds to the exclusion Of
Texas because Of that fact, was un-
just.
Colonel II. D. Loveland of San Fran
cisco, president Of the Pacific Coast
Jobbers' and Manufacturers Associa-
ton. and John Henry Smith of Salt
Lake City followed in short speeches
When Smith had concluded Governor
Pardee summarized the work before
the congress In his annual address. He
said IN part:
GOVERNOR PARDEE SPEAKS.
Il is true that Florida and Louisiana, de-
spite their Ewsmps have found occasion for
the extensive and profitable practice Of irriga-
ton; but that Is not true OF New York and
Governor Higgins OF the Empire State recog-
mixing how large stake the financial centers
have In the success Of the irrigation movement
gladly TOOK advantage OF the opportunity 70
name list OF influential delegates. hope
all these gentlemen are with US to-day, and
that We shall hear from them often during the
proceedings. II there be such a thing IN the
true sense, as high finance" It is the pro-
motion OF those Industrial tendencies which
VIII create new wealth and not merely absorb
into fewer hands the wealth already existing
The strength OF the republic is in its citi-
zens. and the best nursery Of citizenship is
the country home. We proud OF our great
cities with their wealth and luxury. but there
are purchased at heavy cost, for wealth
and luxury be enjoyed only by the few,
and the reverse side is poverty and sQualor.
In the country poverty may exist. but It does
not mean sQualor and Ii Is not inconsistent
with social consideration. II James G.
Blaine-a good citizen Of the West, by the way
who used the phrase 1.-THE sweet, clean power
~ OF the country 70 make sharp the distinc-
tion between the tendencies Of the city and
Aeshose OF the country.
The city does not ordinarily produce fits own
greatest men. but borrows them from the coun-
Try. From year to year Ine strenuous activi-
ties OF the metropolis call upon the country
for The best we breed" and the farmers sons
60 up TO I'll the high places and to direct the
monster industries Of ege OF steam and
electricity. This condition which appears to
be inseparabie from our civilization. VIII con-
tinue long we have great, educated,
eeif-respecting and virtuous yeomanry to draw
upon, and II Is threatened soon as we have
q disproportionate rapid growth Of the urban
population and the subordination OF the rural
districts. In peace, as IN war, the strength OF
a nation is IN its country-bred youth.
Now there is nothing which holds out so
much hope OF an increase OF country population