The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-09-07
IRRIGATION CONGRESS sRINGs
OUT SHARP CRITICISMS ON
PRESIDENTS POLICY,
PINCn0T PINCHED OUT
NOT DEBATE OVER LUMBER
QUESTION sTIRs CONGRESS
TO MUCH ACTIVITY

Sacramento, Calif-Discor>iant notes
rang through the proceedings of the
National Irrigation Congress on the
second day. and the name of President
Roosevelt figured prominently. On one
occasion the countrys chief executive
was 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.
After Clifford Pinchot, government
forester and personal representative of
President Roosevelt had delivered an
address on Conservation of Re-
sources" Judge j. E. Baker of Cali
tornia moved that it be the sense OF
the convention that all duties on tim
Der be repealed, in view of the state
ment of Pinchot that the supply Of
lumber in this country would be ex-
hausted within twenty years if nothing
was done to protect it. The motion
was seconded.
Contest for Floor.
1t was then moved that the resolu-
tion be referred to the committee on
resolutions in line with the plan
adopted earlier in the day when the
resolution of Matthew Dougherty of
Utah, as amended by Judge Baker, was
carried This would shut off debate.
Delegate White Smith of Inyo county.
California, one of the prominent fig
ures in the movement that means the
airing Of the alleged grievances of the
so-called "kickers" from Owens valley.
Yuma and other points, was at once
on his feet. He realized that the adop-
ton of the resolution ant shutting
~ of dnhata Mr. kiacn1 of Utah also
arose to ask question. SmitE con
tinued to speak and urge the right of
debate, when he was ruled out of or
der 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 Pinchot what is
being done in the way of restoration.
The answer was satisfactory, but John
Fairweather Of Fresno brought matters
to an issue by asking Pinchot:
Are you in favor of admitting lum-
ber free into this country"
Smoked Out.
In reply Pinchot said: you have
smoked me out" He said he had de-
clined to take public stand on the
question for the reason that 'if the
Forest Service had declared itself in
favor OF the admission of lumber free
into the United States it would have
secured the united opposition OF the
lumber interests. instead of what it
has now, the united support of those
interests who own four-fifths Of the
forests of the country"
1t wa this latter remark that was
used in the afternoon session by White
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 a question of what but of
how. He said the congress had only
heard from one side.
Fair Play Asked.
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. l, as one delegate,
demand some voice in the proceed
ings!"
Associate Justice Nave of Arizona
suggested that Smith be allowed three
quarters Of an hour to address the con-
vention and accordingly he took the
platform.
Referring to the remark OF Pinchot,
the Inyo county man said the govern
ment officials are evidently afraid to
stand forth in the interest OF the
poorer classes, as shown by the state
ment that they do not want to gain
the opposition of interests like those
controlling four-fifths of the timber in
the~United States.
Smith then turned his attention to
President Roosevelt in relation to the
Owens Valley water project. When
tie protests of the people OF Owens
valley were taken before Secretary
Garfield" said Smith. he refused to
grant the water to Los Angeles except
for municipal purposes. The matter
later came before tne President. and
he said: While the farmers have GER
tain rights, these rights must be dis
regarded
what. we ask" continued Smith,
"ls that the power of the Secretary of
the Interior and Secretary Of Agricul-
ture be curtailed. Let the people
know their rights and not be governed
by any mans will, even though he be
President Of the United States. Fair
play is all we ask. l will also say the
delegates are sovereign and not the
committee on resolutions"
The name of Roosevelt figured also
in the remarks of Ex-Governor Pardee
OF California, who, in telling of ride
he had with the President when they
were choked by smoke by brush fires
said: "The President asked the cause
OF the fires and was told the lumber
men were responsible"
Pardee Warns Up.
damn the lumbermen.' said the
President. l being a devout governor