The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-29
Opening of Irrigation Congress
Draws 1000 People
And a Big Crowd Outside Clam
airing to Get In.
FOREIGNERS PRESENT.
Delegates From Europe and
Neighboring Countries.
Mexican Band Plays the Star
Spangled Banner.

Albuquerque, n. NJ, Sept. 29.-The
| sixteenth annual session of the ma
| tional irrigation congress was called
| to order at 1890 this morning by
| President Frank Goudy of Denver,
with every one of the 1000 seats in
| convention hall occupied and crowds
| clamoring for admission to the gal
! lery. Nearly 1900 delegates were
present and today's arrivals will swell
| that number to more than 1900.
The days sessions were devoted to
welcoming Mayor Lester of Albuquer-
que and Governor Curry of New Mex
| leo and the opening address in re-
| sponse by Prof. Goudy. A feature of
| the opening session, was the long list
| of responses to the address of well
come by representatives from for
eign countries. Addresses were made
| Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cape Colony,
| Canada. Cuba. Porto Rico, Brazil and
| several of the Mexican states.
The foreigners have been given an
| important part in the programme
and their presence is lending much
| interest to the work of the con-
| gress. A demonstration lasting sew
eral minutes was made when mill
tary band sent here by the govern
ment of Mexico. played the Star
oPdl6iCQ dl lllC OpSlllh5 VI
the session. The singing of the
irrigation ode by a chorus of 100
voices was another feature which
aroused enthusiasm. President
Goudy's address, a brief address by
General J. Franklin Bell U. S. A, and
the responses by the foreign delegates
occupied the greater portion of the
morning session which closed with
the appointment of committees.
There has been keen competition
81. ,,Tr
mittee to which under the rules of
the congress all resolutions must be
referred without regard, and it is
predicted that some effort will be
made to inject into the resolutions
criticism of certain phases of the ad
ministration's forestry policy and
some reference to government regula-
ton of the public domain. Nothing of
a political nature, however, is likely
to find favor with the congress. A
notable feature of the congress is
the absence of men prominent or ac-
tive in political affairs and the pres
ence of an unusual number of men
who are active workers in the prac-
teal fields of reclamation and who
make up list of speakers of
exceptional strength.
The usual exposition to which con-
gress appropriated $4,000 and which
has brought together the finest dis
play of irrigated products ever as
formally opened this morning by
Governor Curry of New Mexico, fol-
lowing a parade by the troops of the
department of the Colorado, ordered
here for the exposition. General Bell,
chief of staff, and Brigadier General
Thomas. commanding the Colorado
department, took part in the parade.
A vigorous fight is under way be-
tween Pueblo, Colo, and Spokane,
Wash, for the next session of the
congress.
Presidents Goudy's Address.
After expressing his thanks to the
people of New Mexico for the man
ner in which they had received and
entertained the delegates to the con-
gress. President Goudy said:
1--WE have met to consider plans
for the wise development of govern
mental policies looking to the con-
servation and best use of our national
resources and more particularly to the
conservation, preservation and use of
our forests, our streams, and our
lands.
"Some people assert, now that ma
tional reclamation has become a fact,
that there is nothing more for this
association to do. ! replied that the
work of this association will not be
finished until all the flood waters in
the arid and semi-arid sections shall
have been impounded for irrigation,
power, and other useful purposes. 1t
will not be finished till we have
worked out the great problem of saw
ing our forests, and particularly the
forests at the headquarters of our
irrigation streams.
ITO save the forests, equalize the
flow of water, and extend the period
of direct irrigation in every possible
way is a contamination that every
practical irrigationist earnestly de-
sires, because when our mines of
precious metals are worked out, when
our coal treasures are exhausted,
and our iron mines are closed for
ever. there will be one resource that
cannot be exhausted or worn out,
and that is the soil and its products,
for the soils fertility can be main
tanned as long as the sun shines and
water continues to flow onto the arid
lands.
II desire to bring before the con-
ventiUn the question of the creation,
and regulation of irrigation districts.
1t is better, in my judgment,
wherever possible, for the people to
provide their own ways and means for
the construction of irrigation enter
prises rather than depend on the CEN
trail government. In time it may be
deemed advisable to create irrigation
districts in various localities where
the reclamation service is engaged in
irrigation work, to enable the people
to acquire such projects from the
government. l do not believe the
central government will long continue
in the business of irrigation neither
do 1 believe that the water users in
each case will be able to pay the cost
of such enterprises within the time
fixed by the government. so some easy
method of obtaining funds through
loans must be found. and I know of
no better plan than that which is
known as the irrigation district plan.'
This association should work for uni
formity in irrigation district laws.
and for perfecting therein, so that
bond buyers and investors may feel
sure of the validity of such bond.