The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-02
IMPORTANT MEETING
FORESTRY, IRRIGATION AND
 DRAINAGE TO BE CONSIDERED.
National Legislation of Far-Reaching Importance and Involving Ex-
 penditure of Millions Has
 Followed Previous Ses- sfons of This Body.

The fifteenth National Irrigation Congress. which will be held in Sac ramento. Cal, September 2-7 next, promises to be very important na- tional event It is a Forestry Con- gress also and the discussions, which will include quest of national for est reserve extension and administra- tion, as we'll as national irrigation. will be of interest and importance to every portion of the countr-
 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 pub lie lands in those States, under pro- visions that require ultimate repay ment to the national treasury by the lands so benefited The funds avail able for this work under the provisions of the act are rapidly approaching the 40,000, ,000~mark and some of the great est irrigation enterprises 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 swamp lands and bill is now pending in Congress, introduced by Senator Flint of California, providing for national drainage under similar provisions for the ultimate return of the money so spent.
 From it's inception the Irrigation Congress has urged the wise conserV- atiOn of the forests of the country and especially the protection of the forest ed watersheds. The present forest policy of the national government has been brought about by public senti- ment created in lar art by the for estry discussions which have been a part of the annual sessions
 The Irrigation Congress was first Western organization but has grown session held in Boise. thirtv-two States were represented, including several on the Atlantic sea aboard.
 The commanding feature of the Con- gross is the high character of the at tendance. Leading men or the nation and of the states attended. Among these are United States Senator's. Con- gressmen, Governors and other high officials. Vice President Fairbanks at tended the last session. President Roosevelt always sends a message by personal representative Because of the fact that the Congress discusses national interests and Nicies, proVIs- ion is mace in the official call for the appointment of delegates by organized bodies of many kinds, including com mercial and agricultural organizations. a well as by Governors of States and Mayors of cities, and County Commis- siOnerS.
 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 faro will prevail over all rail- way lines and 1t is also announcel 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 California at low cost.