The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-06-20
IMPORTANT CONVENTION
In September to Consider Forestry,
Irrigration and Drainage.

The Fifteenth National Irrigation
Congress, which will be held in Sacra-
mento, California, September 2-7 next,
promises to be very important Ma
tional event. 1t is Forestry Con-
gress also and the discussions, which
will include questions of National For.
est Reserve extension and administra.
ton, as we'll as National Irrigation,
will be of interest and Importance to
every portion of the country.
The Irrigation Congress is chiefly
notable as having been the fountain
head and center of an agitation that
has resulted in the National Govern
ment undertaking to build irrigation
systems In the Western States with
moneys received from the sale of
public lands In those States, under
provisions that require ultimate re.
payment to the National Treasury by
the lands so benefited. The funds
available for this work under the pro-
visions of the Act are rapidly ap.
preaching the Forty Million mark and
some of the greatest irrigation enter
prises In the world are now in progress
of development.
The operation of this law has at.
tracted widespread attention in this
and other countries. During the last
two years much interest In this new
policy of reclaiming the arid lands
with Government money has been
evinced in States having large areas
of swamplands, and bill Is now pend
ing in Congress, introduced by Sena-
tor Flint, of California, providing for
National drainage under similar pro-
visions for the ultimate return of the
money 80 spent.
From Its inception the Irrigation
Congress has urged the wise conserva-
tion of the forests of the country and
especially the protection of the for.
ested watersheds. The present Forest
policy of the National Government
has been brought about by a public
sentiment created in large part by
the Forestry discussions which have
been part Of the annual sessions.
The Irrigation Congress was first a
Western organization but has grown
to be National in scope. At the last
session held In Boise, thirty-two States
we're represented. including several
on the Atlantic seaboard.
The commanding feature of the
Congress is the high character of the
attendance. Leading men of the
Nation and of the States attend.
Among these are United States Sena.
tors, Congressman, Governors and
other high officials. Vice.President
Fairbanks attended the last session
President Roosevelt always sends a
message by personal representative.
Because of the fact that the Congress
discusses National interests and poll.
cies, provision Ia made In the Official
Call for the appointment of delegates
by organized bodies OF many kinds,
including commercial and agricultural
organizations, as wellas by Governors
of States and Mayors of cities, and
County Commissioners.
The people of California are making
great preparations for the fifteenth
session and provision is being made
for the comfort and entertainment of
several thousand delegates. Special
rates of fare will prevail oyer all rail.
way lines and 1t is also announced
that special arrangements have been
made whereby accredited delegates
may have the benefit of very nominal
excursion rates for side trips, which
will enable them to see much of Cali
fornia at low cost.