The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-09-04


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Sacramento. Cal. Sept s.-This was ir-
rigation and conservation day at the ma
uonal irrigation congress and there was
large attendance of delegates when the
morning session was called 20 order by
Governor Chamberlain. shortly before 10
O'Clock. Proceedings were opened with
me Invocation, delivered by Rev George
T.. Swan Of Sacramento A number of ad-
dresses on subjects Of great interest were
Silho ulced Tor the three sessions today.
Men prominent in the great work of the
congress were the speakers
The first step made. evidently with the
Idea OF shutting off the alleged griev-
ances of the so-called ''xickers" from
Yuma valley and other points, coming di-
rectly before the congress developed
when Matthew Daugherty of Utah moved
that all resolutions be referred to the
committee of resolutions by title only
ms was seconded by John z. Raker of
MOdoc, Cal, and unanimously adopted
AS result debate at the outset will be
shut off
letter from Secretary Garfield was
read, regretting his inability to attend
and speaking of the big work done
United States Senator Francis G. New
lands OF Nevada. a member of the inland
waterways commission was then intro
duced and received warm welcome He
delivered an interesting address on the
commission deals.
Senator Newiands' Address.
Senator Newlands said that the inland
waterways commission had only been in
existence a few months. 1t had been en-
gagged thus far in the work of investiga-
ton, and had not yet formulated its rec
concentrations. What he said, therefore,
must be regarde as his Individual views
rather than as the conclusions of the
commission. After referring to the ap-
continent Of the inland waterways COM
omission by President Roosevelt. Senator
fNewlands said that the letter Of instruc-
tiOns from the president enjOined upon
the commission the study Of all ques-
tons relating to inland waterways, with
q view to recommending practical legis-
lation upon the subject. The president 5
purpose was to undertake now a plan
of practical utilization, which might in
the coming years be worked out compre-
hensively and successfully.
Whilst the primary purpose of this
inquiry" Mr.. Newiands said, lis to IA
cilitate water transportation, IL is i'm
possible 10 perfect the machinery of the
waterways without taking into consider
alton the related questions of forest pres
ervation, of irrigation OF arid land, OF
reclamation of swamp lands, of bank pro-
lection, OF Qualifications of streams and
other kindred questions.
The Most Important Question.
whilst these questions are important"
great waterways, lakes or rivers, for
purposes of transportation of men and OF
products is the most important. Every
creek, every brook. contributes in some
degee to the volume of the river or lake
which should serve as part of the great
machinery OF transportation, ana thor
ough and comprehensive plan or artl-
ficialiZing waterways should be adopted,
with a view of securing stability of chan
mel.
timed s'to indicate now what the form OF
legislation should be. Individually, /
should say that some plan in which the
chiefs of the great scientific services OF
the country could be brought together
power TO make comprehensive plans ana
10 work them out gradually, might be the
most efficient way / cannot imagine an
organization more perfect than one Wmch
would include the chief of the engineer
corps Of the army, the director or the
geological survey, the director OF our
coast and geodetic survey, our Panama
canal service our reclamation service;
the chiefs of our forestry service, and
of the bureau of soils. Such a board
would mould into unity of action these
great services, each Of which is now en-
Gagged in some form OF study and work
relating to our waterways; and tnere
could be created a fund similar to the
reclamation fund, which could be placed
in a measure. be made self-compensatory,
nv tolls, charges for water power, and
other means Of revenue. Their action
yvo1Id cover all questions relating to the
fmprovement of harbOrs and rivers. the
construction of canals, the development
Continued on Page 2.