The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-10-02
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING
OPENS in ALBUQUERQUE, N. NJ.
PRESIDENT SENDS WIRE
Speakers 81 National Prominence
Meet and Talk Over the Plans to
Make the Deserts Bloom, and to Re-
forest the West.

ALBUQUERQUE, N. M, Sept. 90
The proceedings Of the opening ses
sion Of the sixteenth National 1rriga
ton congress which convened in con-
veation hall in this city at 1880 to-
dya was impressive and 1900 delegates
and $500 spectators who crowded the
galleries moved to repeated dcmon-
STATIONS.
It Is evident that this congress is
to give the major portion Of its time
to the discussion Of the reclamation
Of public lands and the conservation
OF natural resources and it is likely
that these discussions may lead to
differences Of opinion on phases Of
government policies, particularly the
forestry policy.
D. G. Beaman of Denver, Colo, will
address the convention tomorrow
morning on forestry service and it is
intimated that such criticism Of the
service o. may be INDUCED in will
come at that time.
The live stock interests are well
represented and their desires as to
the resolutions regarding government
regulation Of the public domain and
forest reserves may precipitate sharp
discussion. A movement has appeared
backed BY . number Of well known
mel to make the irrigation congress
8 permanent organization. with head
quarters and ! directory whose duty
will be the collection Of data. in fur
'theriag needed legislation and arous.
mig public interests in reclamation
and conservation work to be under
taken. The movement is finding fav-
OF among the delegates.
Two letters and . telegram were
read TO the congress at the opening
session Of the convention from Pres.-
dent Roosevelt. The nrst was ad-
dressed to the congress and conveyed
the presidents greeting and his ap-
prevail Of the work Of the congress and
references to the Importance Of recla-
nation and conservation Of natural.
resources. The second letter was
addressed to the local board OF CON
troll. replying to an invitation on q
gold plate recently conveyed to the
president. A postscript at the bottom
Of his letter aroused wild enthusiasm
among the delegates and spectators.
as It was read by Secretary Fowler.
The president wrote:
II earnestly hope that this winter
1 shall have . chance to sign bills con
ferring statehood on both New Mex
leo and Arizona"
The convention directed its ofdcers
to reply to the message by q telegram,
with an expression OF thanks for the
favorable expression toward New
Mexico and Arizona.
Addresses Of welcome were made
by Major q. n. Lester, Albuquerque
and Governor Curry Of New Mexico
and President Frank G. Cloudy Of
Denver in response, made to the open
ing address Of the congress.
Following Mr.. Goudy's address an
adjournment was taken until after
noon to allow the delegates to attend
the formal opening Of the exposition
Of irrigation products.
The afternoon session was occupied
by brief responses to the address Of
Welcome. among the speakers being
III. Rene Tayernier, chief engineer Of
the bureau Of public works; Senior
Lourquic Beata Neves. chief engi-
neer of the Brasilian government;
Tulio Larranga, representatives Of
Porto Rico; 1gnacia Da Costa, consul
general for Portugal; Carlos Comman-