The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1908-03-18
NATIONAL IRRIGA-
TON CONGRESS
Sixteenth Annual Meeting to Be
Held in Southwestern City
Next October.


Albuquerque, New Mexico, Septem.
Der 10Th, 80, and October 1st; End
and 3rd, 1908. This great assem- :
bly, is one of the most important
unofficial organizations in the Unit.
ed States. Its purpose is to pro-
mote the wise development of gov.
ernmental policies relating TO the
conservation, development and beat
use of the forests, streams and lands
of the country.
1t seeks to save the forests, store
the floods, reclaim the deserts and
make homes on the land.
It's annual sessions have had an
important influence on national
legislation and national prosperity.
The congress is composed of DEL
egates representing the states and
territories OF the Union, counties,
municipalities, organized bodies OF
many kinds.
Its personnel includes the high
est officials of the national govern
ment, senators, representatives and
administrative officials.
Prominent men from every por.
ton OF the United States attend
and participate in the proceedings.
Among these are governors OF
states and men who stand at the
head of the great manufacturing,
commercial and financial interests
OF the country, leading professional
men, educators, engineers and sci
entists.
The national reclamation act,
through which there has been &C.
cumulated in the national treasury
a revolving fund of approximately
forty million dollars, now being
expended in the construction OF
great irrigation systems that will
reclaim millions of acres of semi
arid lands, is a direct result OF a
public sentiment developed by the
annual session OF this congress.
The new national policy OF forest
preservation, under which more
than a hundred millions OF forest
area and grazing lands of the pub
lie domain have been reserved from
sale for the purpose OF preventing
denudation and destruction, insur
ing their proper use and conserving
the timber and range resources of
the country and the protection OF
watersheds, is largely due to the
discussions which have annually
been had at the National Irrigation
congress.
The participation of high officials
of the general government who are
charged with the administration of
the National Irrigation and Forest
ry laws gives to the congress a semi
official character. IL is the one
place where these officials meet the
people and discuss with them the
details of the great work which the
government has undertaken
In its membership the National
Irrigation congress is the most
broadly representative OF any OF
our national gatherings. 1t deals
with questions of national policy
and representation is accorded to
practically every body OF citizens
in the United States.
In connection with the meeting
OF the congress, and by way OF in.
centive to the promotion of irriga-
ton and the settlement of lands in
the areas under the various irriga.
ton projects now being construct.
ed under the National Irrigation
act, the board of control announces
the holding of an Inter. State In.
dustrial Exposition, to which all
states and localities interested in ir.
rigation are invited to send exhib
its. Ample space and accommoda.
tons of the most elaborate collect.
i've state exhibits will be provided
Magnificent trophies and cash
premiums, medals, certificates ard
awards will be given by the board,
or under it's direction and control,
complete information in relation