Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-01-16
State Convention at Amcs Was
WcllAttcndcd and Great In
terest Was Manifested
THE PROGRESS OF DRAINAGE
Experts From tho Agricultural Do
partment Furnish Valuable Statistics
On tho Subject Under Discussion
Tho Good Roads Problem Also Dis
cussed.
specaal to Times Republican,,

Special to Times Republican,
Ames. Jan. 16.-'The Second Annual
Iowa state Drainage convention closeu
Its sessions Saturday. Several hundred
OF Iowas land owners. statesmen, civil
engineers, supervisors, and drainage
experts were In attendance ana good
ly number were also present from
nelghboring states. Great interest was
manifested in the program turnout the
two sessions. and many profitable dis
cussions were taken UP with great en-
thusiasm md with much profit to the
delegates present.
The opening address was made by
Professor G. II. Curtiss, director OF
the Iowa experiment station. He spoke
most interestingly OF the progress Of
the drainage improvements In the
state during the past year, but stated
that the keynote Of this convention
would undoubtedly be an effort to Sc
cure as speedily as possible, n test case
which would prove whether or not the
present drainage law is constitutional.
The uncertainty regarding the law Is
O great barrier to tho progress OF
drainage at the present time.
Mr.. G. G. Elliott, drainage expert for
the United States department OF agri-
culture, spoke upon Drainage Claims
and Equitable Assessments In Drainage
District Work." This is u subject of
state wide interest in Iowa and Mr..
Elliott presented the facts which will
prove Of inestimable value to the scores
OF county officials and land owners who
heard him.
The New Iowa Drainage Law" was
discussed at length by Hon. X. NJ
Wright, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Repre-
sentative Wright was one of the chief
advisors in framing the law. as well as
its steadfast sponsor before the legis-
lature. In his address, Mr.. Wright cit
ed many cases which he believes prove
that the present law is constitutional.
Saturday morning, the convention
assembled for its last session. Many
OF the delegates spent the greater por-
ton Of the preceding night In discuss
ing ways and means for getting test
case to the supreme court as soon as
possible. This must be done before
drainage improvements can be sue
cessfully carried out. This subject was
fully discussed by the convention for
over an hour. A resolution was unan-
lmously adopted urging the various
counties to financially support the test
case Of Bollah VS.. MOnonaH Harrison
county drainage district. The thought
prevailed that IL this case could speed
lily be carried to the supreme court,
great forward step will have been talk
On in drainage work.
A committee of five was appointed
to interest the landowners and county
officials in this case.
Professor A. Marston addressed the
convention on THE Importance Of
Drainage in Good Roads Construc-
ton" Professor Marston has made
careful study OF road conditions in
Iowa and his statements were heard
with the greatest enthusiasm. The
people OF Iowa are awaiting with in
terest the publication OF the profess
sor's bulletins on the results of his
Investigations regarding the building
and maintaining Of Iowa roads.
"The Drainage of Meandered Lake
Beds" was the subject of q comprehen-
sive paper by Professor l.. Il. Ash
baugh, of the Iowa State College. The
paper reviewed the provisions Of the
rev drainage law regarding the drain
age and sale of meandered lakes, and
many facts were presented regarding
the work that had been done in COM
pliance with the provisions of the law
and the number of lakes which had
been filled up in recent years and were
now simply sloughs or bogs.
Mr.. F. j. Ford, Of Fort Dodge, sent
n paper on "The Progress Of Drainage
Improvements During 1904" There is
now contemplated not less than 1909
miles Of artificial waterways to fur
nish service drainage districts COM
prising no less than 100000 acres of
land of which not less than 100000
acres is practically worthless at the
present time on account Of the lack
body, would be equal to an ordinary
county.
Professor C. j. Zintheo spoke at
length upon the use of the traction
ditcher on various types Of soil. Trials
showed that tile bitches could be cut
more cheaply with the machine than
by hand but that on heavy, sticky land,
1t was difficult to operate the ditcher.
The regular program was concluded
by an address by Professor w. H. Ste
venson, secretary OF the Iowa Drainage
Association, on "The Relation Of the
Soil to Undertakings" This address
was of unusual interest to landowners
and drainage engineers who have
charge Of the drainage of clay, gumbo,
muck and peat soils.
The Iowa Drainage Association was
organized January 16. 1904. The pur-
pose of the organization is the adj
vancement of drainage improvements
in Iowa. A large number Of new names
We're added to the membership list dur
ing the convention and no doubt the
statewide interest in drainage work
will not flag during the year.
Hon. f. j. Hartshorn was elected
president for the ensuing year and Pro-
fessor w. III. Stevenson of the Agri-
cultural College was reelected secre-
tary- treasurer, and was instructed to
publish the full proceedings of the con-
vention.
GIFTS MAKE TOWN POOR.
Fine Buildings Donated to Village