The Washington herald., 1908-05-13
BRYAN FAVORS PLAN
Supports in Address Drain
age Of Swamp Lands.
TALKS TO NATIONAL CONGRESS
First Session of Body Favored with
Instructive and Interesting Dis
course on Method 10 Increase Pro-
ductiye Area of United States, by
Nebraska Statesman.

William Jennings Bryan. in an address
before the members and delegate OF the
National Drainage Congress, in session
at the New Willard Hotel yesterday af-
tern0on, said he was heartily in favor Of
the movement to drain swamp lands. and
thus increase the productive area Of the
United States,
The first session Of the congress was
closed last night with an illustrated by
J. c. Blanchard, Of the Reclamation Serv-
ice. Mr. Blanchard showed with the aid
OF stereoptican views. what had been ac-
complIshed in arid sections Of the United
States by irrigation. He emphasized the
fact that much could be done along the
other extreme-drainage of low and
swamp lands.
Address by MIR. Bryan.
Mr.. Bryan spoke about fifteen minutes
He said, in part:
II do not come here TO discuss the
question before you. I am only here to
/ justify by my presence among you my in
terest in and my hearty sympathy with
your work.
in the questions Of irrigation and
! drainage 1 recognize that there is great
/ force in the accusation of Gov. Blanchard
when he said there were many in the
/ West who were ignorant Of what was in
the river and harbor bill until after the
subject Of irrigation had been forced upon
the publics attention. It is true, how
ever, that throughout that Western coun-
try the people did not take an active in
terest in the river and haTbOT appToOria-
tons. I think I can speak for that section
when / say it was not a lack Of interest IN
the general principles $50 much as IL was
the objection Of certain detail, that IS
There was a feeling that the rivers
and harbors bills. instead of including
what might be regarded as national pre-
judices included appropriations that could
hardly be justified in any broad grounds
But with the general spirit that lies back
OF the Improvement of rivers and harbors
I think the people Of the West are IN SYM
pathy, at least 1 am sure they will be-
when the subject is fully understood.
We must always remember that educa-
ton goes first; that until people under
stand the subject, they cannot feel deep
~ in regard to it. I regard these meetings
such as you are having here. Of such great
value in the way Of education.
''I have only been here a few hours, yet
I have been myself informed on several
subjects. I am sure that during the ses-
sion OF the conference the President has
called, we are going to have a large
amount OF information conveyed from
those Who have made a special study,
to those who have only looked upon the
/ subject in general way, and I am here
as a student
Announces HIS Sympathy.
Il want. in the first place. by attending
! here 70 express my sympathy with the
| drainage plan. have no doubt what
| ever to its praeucability and feasibility
/ Of the drainage Of our swamps. I am
| heartily in favor of bringing the swamp
/ lands into cultivation. for I think It
/ means q wonderful addition to those sec
tions and 10 the wealth OF the country
at large.
when you eome to the plan by which
/ this shall be done. I recognize there are
apt to be differences Of opinion. and some
| OF these differences may be due 10 differ
| ences in the construction Of the CoHstitu-
ton, and some. of them TO other reasons,
| but I am a great believer in the possi-
/ bility Of harmonizing differences by dis
| cussion."
Others who spoke on the subject and
| heartily indoTsed the drainage movement
were Secretary Garfield. of the Depart
nIent of the Interior; Senator Clapp, of
Minnesota; Representative Ramsden. of
] louisiana; O. p Austin, chief of the
| Bureau Of Statistics. and Col C. B. Good
year, Of Georgia
/ The morning session was devoted to the
/ address OF welcome by Commissioner II
B. F. Macfarland. and the response by
/ w 5. BTadock, vice president Of the as
/ sociation. Senator Francis G. NewIands
/ Of Nevada, and Representative H r.
Burton, of Delaware, also made ad-
/ dresses at the morning session.
The congress Will continue through To-
/ cay and tomorrow. and it is expected
/ that Gov. Folk. of Missouri; Gov. Glenn.
/ OF North Carolina, and Gov. Swanson.
/ Of Virginia, will be among the speakers