The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-08-06
RECLAMATION WORK
IS TO BE DISCUSSED

Spokane, Aug. 5.-Supporters and
opponents of the Roosevelt policies
pertaining 10 national forestry and
reclamation work will draw the lines
sharply at the meeting OF the National
l Irrigation congress here during the
week Of August .. There is already
every indication that the movement.
which began with the passage oft he
reclamation act In 1902, will be at
| tackled from all sides under the GuiSe
of economy the chief argument being
there IS nothing which justified the
continuance of so broad a policy OF
public improvement
Friends of the movement in the
west and southwest. where the bene-
fetal effects of the irrigation projects
are in evidence. point to the fact that,
while the work Is comparatively new
and largely experimental, the reclama-
| tion service has not the record of a
single failure in the numerous plants
| undertaken and involving a total eX-
penditure OF S42 900 900 They are
| marshaling their forces and will resist
any attempt which might lead To the
wholesale overthrowal of the policies
enacted by Secretary aGrheld
That the acute stage has been
reached Is evidenced by an authorized
statement from Arthur Heeker. secre-
tary of the board Of control of the sew
enteenth National Irrigation congress,
as follows:
Many indications point to the fact
that this is critical time in the his
tory OF the National Irrigation con-
gress, and, indeed. in the history of the
national irrigation movement. In fact.
the same thing may be said concerning
the principles for which this organiza-
tion stands-the preservation of our
forests. the storage of the floods, the
reclamation of the deserts and tho
BODYBUILDING of the nation.
That the Roosevelt policies will he
on trial at the coming sessions is
conclusion reached from a considera.
tion OF the events that have become
history since the last meeting of this
body. The supporters Of the national
irrigation movement began TO see the
realization Of their hopes In the pas
sage of the reclamation act in 1902.
and under the leadership Of the
Father of Irrigation. the work has
y
The scarchlieht of criticism is now
turned upon the plans formulated and
the policies established. Those who
have followed closely the course of
events In the last few months foresec
meet at most opportune time, though
that the seventeenth congress viii
the most critical period since its or
Ganization.
Some OF the attacks on the former
administrations policies will raise
these questions;
Have they fulfilled the hopes of
those who have been responsible for
their existence? Are they making a
richer, happier, better land, a more
prosperous and contented people
throughout that vast area once la
beled The Great American Desert?
Arc they worthy of that support and
endorsement necessary to insure con
tinued progress along the lines on
which work is already progressing;
or have the governments efforts in
this direction been at fault, necessi.
tating a change in the activities OF
those bureaus of the government to
which this work has been entrusted?
tHNI'lS upbu luS dCllNllN Ol Lne
friends OF the policies which have in
the past received the endorsement of
this body,
1T is predicted that this phase alone
will make the congress famous. and
there are many indications that Its
action on the foregoing questions.
coming at the time it does, will make
the coming sessions of the irrigation
congress not only the most noted In
its history but the most momentous
in results. No other Interpretation
can be put upon the widespread in
terest manifested and the Importance
which is being attached TO this organ
iZation
Other questions which will come be-
fore the congress in a striking man
ner are:
Shall the government policies re-
ceiye the endorsement of this congress.
or shall material change in them be
demanded? Is this great national
movement of providing homes for mil
lions OF our people TO continue or is
it to be checked and turned aside? ?"