Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-04
DELEGATES
IN DLSCORD
IRRIGATION CONGRESS HAS A
LIVELY SESSION
ON LuMHERMEN," ROOSEVELT
QUOTED
Former Governor Pardee Says Presi-
dent Was Enraged Over Fires and
Pinchot Is Asked Pointed
Questions
Rv Associated ] ress.

SACRAMENTO, Sept. 3.--Discordant
notes rang through the proceedings of
the national irrigation congress today and
the name of President Roosevelt also
figured prominently, on one occasion the
country's chief executive being referred
to in a manner that meant criticism of
his policy in connection with the Owens
valley water project There was also
criticism Of policies pursued by other
government officials.
The sessions were in marked contrast
to that of yesterday, when words OF wei
come and the beautiful notes of the Ogden
tabernacle choir fell upon the ears OF
the thousands gathered within the can
vas irrigation palace.
The first break in the ring of harmony
came shortly before the noon hour.
After Clifford Pinchot, government for
ester and personal representative OF
President Roosevelt had delivered an ad-
dress on Conservation of Resources
Judge J. e. Raker of Modoc county moved
that 1t be the sense Of the convertlon
that all duties on timber be repealed IN
view of the statement of Pinchot that
the supply of lumber in this country
would be exhausted within twenty years
If nothing is done to protect 1t.
The motion was seconded 1t was then
moved that the resolution be referred to
the committee on resolutions, in lire with
the plan adopted earlier in the day when
the motion of Matthew Dougherty of
Utah, as amended by Judge Raker, was
carried. This would shut off debate.
Skicker" Is Heard
White Smith of Inyo county, California,
one of the prominent figures in the move
ment that means the airing Of the al
legged grievances of the so-called kick
ers' from Owens valley, Yuma and other
points, before the main gathering, was
at once on his feet. He realized that
the adoption of the resolution meant the
shutting off of debate. Mr.. Kiesel OF
Utah also arose to ask a question. Smith
continued to speak and urge the right
of debate, when he was ruled out of
order by Congressman John Henry Smith
of Utah, who was acting as temporary
chairman. The Inyo. representative did
not subside for some minutes, but finally
Kiesel asked Pirchot what Is being done
in the way of reforestration. The answer
was satisfactory, but John. Fairweather
of Fresno brought matters to an issue
by asking Pinchot "Are you in favor of
admitting lumber free into this country?"
In reply Pinchot said: You have smoked
me out" He said he had declined to
take a public stand on the matter for
the reason that If 1.-The forest service
had declared itself in favor of the ad
mission of lumber free into the United
States 1t would have secured the united
opposition of the lumber interests instead
of what ID has now the united support
OF these interests who own four1ffths
of the forests of the country"
a ~ was this latter remark that was
H. tk..
Smith. when he made an impassioned
talk expressing alleged grievances.
When the close of the program was
reached it was announced that George
Otis Smith of the geological survey had
not arrived in time to speak and that
any delegate who desired to be heard
might address the congress. White Smith
arose and said he did not think any
delegate was opposed to reclamation and
forestry, but that it was not question
of what, but of how. He said the con-
gress had only heard from one SIDE
LET some man be called said Smith,
.'who may present the other side. All
we ask is fair play and that no cut and
dried program be forced down our throats.
as one delegate demand some voice in
the proceedings"
Associate Justice Nave of Arizona sug-
gested that Smith be allowed three-quar-
.ters of an hour to address the conven-
ton, and accordingly he took the plat
form He said he would be coward
If he did not accept the challenge. and
that If he failed to protect the rights
and privileges he failed in the purpose
for which he was elected. He asked the
delegates-if they wanted to appoint men
for certain work would they place only
government and scientific men In charge.
He said the people could not be properly
represented in the irrigation congress IL
men of practical experience did not have
more voice.
Says They Are Afraid
Referring to the remark of Pinchot.
the Inyo county man said the govern
ment OFFICIALS are evidently afraid to
stand forth in the interests of the
poorer classes as shown by the state
ment that they do not want to gain the
opposition of interests like those con-
trolling four-fifths of the timber of the
United States.
smith then turned his attention to
President Roosevelt. In relation to
the owens valley matter when the
protest of the people of Owens valley
was taken before Secretary Garfield"
said Smith, "he refused to grant water
to Los Angeles except for municipal
purposes. The matter later came be-
fore the president and he said Whlle
the farmers have certain rights, these
rights must be disregarded.'
Y"What we ask continued Smith, is
that the power of the secretary of the
interior and secretary of agriculture be
curtailed. Let the people know their
rights and not be governed by any
mans will, even though ne be presi-
dent of the United States; fair play is
all we ask. will also say the dele
gates are sovereign and not the COM
mittee on resolutions"
Smith later claimed in an interview
that President Roosevelt. in the pres
ence of Secretary Garfield and others,
said that Los Angeles should have
water for purposes other than muni-
The name1of Roosevelt figured in the
remarks of Ex-Governor Pardee, who,
in telling of "a ride he had with the
president when they were choked by
smoke from brush fires, said "the presi-
dent asked the cause of the fires and
was told the lumbermen were respon-
rible Damn the iumbermen, replied
the president. being a devout COVER
nor OF California" added Pardee. said
amen. The president later qualified
his remark by saying he did not mean
all the lumbermen." The remainder of
the day was marked by nothing out Of