Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-22
IRRIGATION CONGRESS- MEETS
Thirteenth Annual Convention is Now in
Progress at Portland.
ADDRESS BY GOV. PAROEE OF CALIFORNIA
Message from President Roosevelt
Pointing out Importance of the
WOrk-SDeech by Texas
Delegate.

/ PORTLAND. Ore, Ang. q.-The thir.
| teenth annual meeting Of the national fri
! sauon congress, with more than 900 dele
gates present, representing more than four
hiIhs or the states in the union, assembled
tooay at the Lewis and Clark auditorium.
| governor George c. Pardee Of Califor-
ma president of the congress, called the
congress to order. Governor George E.
Chamberlan welcomed the delegates to ore
gon. Governor Chamberlain prefaced his
welcome by emphasizing the Importance Of
irrigation He criticized severely the ex-
isting laws which he believed lacking. espe-
clally In comforting sufficient power to
! condemn private property
Mayor Harry Lane of Portland extended
cordial welcome in behalf of the city
Governor Albert r. Mead Of washing
ton was the first of the visitors to respond
he made brief address in favor of irriea-
tion.
his response agreed with Governor Cham
berlains assertion that the reclamation
law is faulty and advocated such recon
struotion Of the arid land law as would
ooth extend 1t and make 1t effectual He
thought especially that the provision which
alloWed New Mexico. I'm whose confines
the three big rivers which traverse Texas
had their source. to obtain Of the reclama-
ton funds to the exclusion Of Texas be-
cause OF that fact was unjust.
Colonel II. d. Loveland of San Francisco
president of the Pacific coast Jobbers' and
Manufacturers association, and Hon. j.
Henry Smith of Salt Lake City followed
in short speeches.
Governor Pardee's Address.
When Mr.. Smith had concluded Governor
Pardee summarized the work before the
congress in hin annual address. He said
in part:
new branch of government activity,
lshed and is organized in a manner which
gives the promise of the highest efficiency
IN II has been assembled force Of 400
eneIheefs, assistants and experts, all
CHOSEN absolutely without regard 10 poi-
lucs, and appointed after competitive FiviI
service examinations. II is | am satisfied
the strongest single CORPS Of the kind eve, |
put into the field for a similar purpose.
II we nave not yet secured the money |
IN IN quite such abundant measure as we |
have secured the men, we have al Least
Inaue nue start, for we have $50, 900, 900 the /
proceeds Of land sales in the arid states |
a. an9 q WITH this fund nearly a score Of large |
Undertakings have been started in a dozen |
states and some Of them already are well |
So am now able to congra tuIate vo,,
thls ms thirteenth national irrigation congress-
InSS ma t9r t the frst time, we have national
80 iohg remained, merely an ideal.
Message from Roosevelt.
message from President Roosevelt To
The congress was read by Clifford Pincbot
chief forester Of ~ tI-5-Nd States. Tho
lIs ,s,,-.--ef''Sie ,s,,..- 70 II THE develSs-S,a me
and counseled patience IYrifTe die
operation of the reclamation act should be-
come more extensive. The Importance and
wide scope of the act was dwelt upon, the
president pointing out that the act unites
east and west.
THE reclamation act is the most pow
erful foe of all land monopoly" he said. |
The president also warned the people |
against letting public lands pass into
private hands for fictitious reasons"
The necessity for forest protection was |
the president asking for the |
hearty support of the congress TO the |
forest service as an aid to future irriga- |
tion work.
President Roosevelt's message was re-
ceived with rounds of applause.