The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-12-19
1RRIGATIONISTS WANT RESULTS
Important Action Taken Al Meeting of
United Milk River Association.

important Action Taken At Meeting IF
United Milk River Association.
Advlces from Harlem state that the
annual meeting of the United Milk
River Irrigation association, held at
that place Tuesday afternoon, prom.
lses to bring important and s~atisfac.
tory results. Scores of practical far.
mers from all portions of northern
Montana from as far west as the
Blackfeet Indian reserv alton. and as
tar east a. Culbertson, were in atten.
dance, while many of the leading bust.
ness men from this section were in.
Guided in the attend ance, including
Congressman.elect Charles n. PRAY.
OF Fort Benton; Mayor Lewis New.
man, OF Havre, and other prominent
men of standing.
The meeting was one of action
rather than of speech making, the
principal matters considered being
the speedy completion of the lower
portion OF the Milk river project and
The question of opening all remaining
Indian reservations in this portion of
the state. Resolutions were adopted
covering the first question, while the
latter matter, involving as it does the
delicate question of Indian rights in
the waters of various reserv alton
streams. was left to a carefully se-
lected committee whose duty it will be
to draft a strong memorial. to Presi.
dent Roosevelt and to congress-. The
exact nature of this latter memorial
will not be determined until after the
committee has had full opportunity to
consider the matter dispassionately.
n sentiment was freely expressed
both on the floor of the meeting and
informally among the..delegates during
recess hours, that whatever plan shall
finally be adopted for the disposition
OF water rights in streams now in
cluded in Indian reservations, 1t shall
preserve the intent of the laws now
prevailing in other portions of Mon.
~N "AANA OpCA 0VC W pIOICCV VIlC
white settler in his water right after a
minimum period of time has elapsed
which the Indian shall be permitted
to exercise his right of selection.
Interest was added to the meeting
by the presence of Engineer Babb, in
charge OF the ST. Mary's reclamation
canal work, who came on from St.
Mary's lake in order to address the
meeting. While disavowingl any de.
sire to reflect the attitude of the gov
eminent in irrigating matters, he very
graphically pointed out the feasibility
of many diversion dams and canals
planned for various sections Of the
general Milk river scheme. and of
tributary streams. The resolutions
adopted at the meeting commend the
work the reclamation service, but
recognize that unless the diversion
dams and canals of the lower Milk
river are constructed no beneficial re-
suits can be realized, the waters
meanwhile running to waste. The
reclamation service is appealed to
complete its surveys and to let con.
tracts at once, settlers at present
''literally starving out and leaving for
Canada and the board of engineers
is asked to pass upon the feasibility
Of the Marias river diversion dam.
u strong letter was received from
Senator Carter in which he gave it as
his opinion that the problems now
confronting northern Montana are the
"most important of all the questions
affecting the interests of Montana with
which have been called upon to deal
and in its early and correct settlement
the future of northern Montana i:
most gravely concerned"
Malta was selected as the next meet
ing place of the association, and tn,
present officers were reelected for tn
ensuing year, including Louis New
man, of Havre, as president, anl
G. w. Vennum, at Harlem, secretary
Congressman.Elect Pray was calle'
, upon for a speech, but he contente,
himself with q few remarks in whicl
, he pledged his cooperation in Wash
ington, and urged the farmers of tn
valley t o stand shoulder to shoulder
r Food Scarce In Alaska Camps.