East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-08-09

Spokane, Aug. 9.-The Roosevelt
nation of arid lands is expected by
the delegates of the seventeenth ma
tional irrigation congress, meeting
here today, to precipitate a clash be-
tween Secretary of the Interior Bal
linger and Clifford Pinchot, chief Of
the forestry bureau.
Pinchot champions the Roosevelt
ian policies. Ballinger. while not op-
posing, has changed Roosevelts plans
This has met Pinchot's opposition,
and both men will meet before the
congress and adherents of both sides
will fight 1t out on the floor. Both
sides are determined TO place the ir-
rigation congress on record.
Program Begins.
The morning session was called to
order at 1890 by r. Insinger, chair
man Of the board of control. A musi-
cal invocation followed, then the ad-
dresses of welcome by Governor Hay
of Washington Response was made
by George f. Barstow of Texas. pres
ident of the National Irrigation con-
gress A message from President
Taft was read and the remainder Of
the morning was occupied by re-
sponses TO the welcome by the gov
ernors of the various states and is
lands and representatives Of foreign
countries. Committees were then ap-
pointed.
Afternoon speeches are programmed
by Senator Borah of Idaho, A. E.
Bryan, president of the Washington
state college, and Il. ]. Watson. COM
missioner of irrigation of South Car
ollna.
First Victory for Reclamation.
Spokane, Aug. George Turner
Of Spokane, was appointed chairman
OF the committee on credentials at the
irrigation congress by President Bar
stow this morning. The appointment
of Ex-Governor Pardee of California,
as chairman of the committee on res
olutions is regarded as a first victory
for the friends of reclamation and
forests, as Pardee is opposed to the
water trust.
Executive Committee Reports.
The report of the executive COM
mittee presents rewritten constitu-
tion designed to make the organza-
ton more permanent. 1t provides for
enlargement of the board of governors
to seven with no two from one state,
and authorizes the board to initiate
action to meet emergencies and au-
thorizes the executive committee to
open offices and expend funds.
Ex-Governor Frank Gooding of
Idaho, declared that his state was for
reclamation, in responding on behalf
of Idaho.
Hay Advocates Lumber Tariff.
That the lumber tariff is a neces-
sary factor in forest preservation was
the argument of Governor Marion
Il. Hay of Washington, at the open
ing of the 18th National Irrigation
congress today. He said: "Thosc
who advocate free lumber are unques-
tionably honest in their attiture and
are inspired with belief that such
reductions in the tariff or removal
thereof will have the effect of great
ly lowering the price of forest pro-
ducts in the consumers. / am con-
vinced that these premises are wrong.
Possibly for a short period following
the reduction of the tariff and con-
sequent admission Of Canadian COM
petition, a slight reduction in the
cost of forest products to the con-
sumer might take place, This would |
be but temporary, for the conditions
which have been forcing up the prices
os lumber in this country are rapidly |
finding a parallel in Canada and |
British Columbia The real cause of |
the rise in prices is to be found in
the diminishing forest areas. If the
tariff is removed or materially re- |
duced the competition that will follow
will hasten the depletion of our own |