The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1905-08-26
IRRIGATION CONGRESS
ANNUAL MEETING AT PORTLAND
More Than One Thousand Delegates
Represent More Than Four-Fifths
of the States of the Union.

Portland Ore. Aug. 23.--The thir
teenth annual meeting of the National
Irrigation Congress, with more than
a thousand delegates present, repre-
senting more than four-fifths of the
states of the Union. assembled Monday
at the Lewis and Clark auditorium.
Governor Pardee of California, pres
ident of the congress, called the con-
sention to order.
Governor Chamberlain welcomed the
delegates to Oregon. He prefaced his
welcome by emphasizing the import
ance of irrigation. He criticised Sc
verely the existing laws, which he
believed to be lacking especially in
comforting sufficient power TO condemn
private property.
Mayor Lane of Portland extended
a cordial welcome In behalf of the
city.
Governor Mead of Washington was
the first of the visitors to respond. He
made brief address in favor of irriga-
tion.
Congressman J. b. Stevens of Texas,
in his response, agreed with Governor
Chamberlain's assertion that the reela-
nation law is faulty and advocated
such reconstruction of the arid land
law as would both extend it and make
1t effectual. He thought especially
that the provision which allowed New
Mexico, in whose confines the three
big rivers which traverse Texas had
their source. to obtain portion of the
reclamation fund to the exclusion of
Texas. because of that fact, was un-
just.
Governor Pardee summarized the
work before the congress in his annual
address. He said in part:
"A new branch of government ae-
tivity. the reclamation service. has
been established, and is organized in
a manner which gives the promise OF
the highest efficiency. In 1t has been
assembled n force OF 400 engineers,
assistants and experts, all chosen alb
soiutely without regard 10 politics, and
appointed after competitive civil SER
vice examinations. Ii is, | am salts
aed, the strongest single corps OF the
kind ever put into the field for simi-
lar purpose.
IF we have not yet secured the
money in quite such abundant meas
ure as we have secured the men. we
have at least made start. for we
have 100000 900. the proceeds of land
sales in the arid states. and with this
fund nearly score of large undertake
ings have been begun In a dozen
states and some of them already are
well under way.
$50. | am now able to congratulate
this thirteenth National Irrigation
Congress that. for the first time. we
have national irrigation as an actual
test. and not. as 1t 30 long remained.
merely an ideal.
=,
much hope of an increase of country
population as an energetic prosecution
of the work of irrigation development.
It means the multiplication OF small
farms and comfortable homes. Irriga-
tion leads to intensive cultivation. and
that implies many proprietors. The
class OF rural Industries which they
have in irrigated districts is not invit.
ing to millionaire landlords. working
vast areas with semiservile labor. In
telligent and personal supervision are
necessary Thrift gets the better OF
speculation. Industry Is at a premium
and monopoly is discouraged. In Utah.
where irrigation Is strictly necessity
Of agriculture, the average farm Is
only twenfy-ssven acres In extent. In
California. as soon as an irrigation fur
row is drawn, the ownership OF the
great ranches begins TO disintegrate
and many more homes are made"
A message from President Roosevelt
TO the congress was read by Clifford
Pinchot, chief forester of the United
States. The President reviewed the
importance OF reclamation work in the
development OF the country and coun-
seized patience until the operation of
the reclamation act should become
more extensive. The importance ana
wide scope of the act was dwelt upon.
the President pointing out that the
act unItes East aid West and that IL
"enforces the principle OF the greatest
good to the greatest number, but gives
each man land enough to support his
family in comfort"
"The reclamation act Il the most
powerful of all foes of land monopoly"
he said. The President also warned
the people against letting public
lands pass into private hands for ficti-
tious reasons
The necessity for forest protection
was Indicated. the President asking for
the hearty support OF the congress to
the forestry service. as an aid to future
irrigation work.
President Reoseve1t's message was
received with rounds of applause.