Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-27
IAssocIated Pressl

PUEBLO, Colo, Sept. 26.-Laying
down the policy that mo gang rule
shall flourish here" and reiterating the
congress- motto, "Save the forests,
store the floods. reclaim the deserts,
make homes on the land" President B.
Fowler of Phoenix, Arlz., informally
opening the eighteenth National Irri-
cation congress here this afternoon
aligned himself with those delegates
who favor q thorough discussion OF
all practical problems of irrigation.
While President Fowler In his ad-
dress did not intimate knowledge of
any attempt to inject personal ques-
tions into the deliberations of the con-
gress, he took the broad position that
this congress is and must remain the
national forum for consideration of ir-
rigation matters, He reviewed at
length the achievements of the con-
gress in its almost twenty years of ex-
istence, both in securing beneficial leg
islation in congress and in furthering
the construction of irrigation projects
in the west. Recognizing that the con-
gress is confronted by many import
ant problems for further consideration,
President Fowler in closing declared:
"This congress must watch over and
continue to contribute to the develop
ment and groth of its foster children,
national forestry and irrigation, the
kindred subject of national drainage
of the swamp lands of the south and
the east will need its help, national wa
terways and the system of treatment
of our rivers, especially at the head
waters, will demand and should receive
our careful consideration and aid.
Here, in this congress of the people
in the national forum for the considera-
ton of all vital questions relating to
the uses and advices of water, irriga-
tion and forestry, and so long as the
governments of the people, by the
people and for the people shall live,
so long will the need of great popular
convocations like this exist and appeal
to the people who boast of enlightened
freedom"
Former Governor Alva Adams, in
discussing colorado: Conquest and
Conservation" declared himself in
favor of state control of irrigation
projects, which would place the devel-
opment and conservation of national
resources close to the people. This, he
said, would ENSURE tranquility, pro-
mote the dignity of the states, harm
no one, strengthen the nation and ad-
vance the welfare of all the people"
Thousands of delegates and local
people packed the Mineral palace to
hear William J. Bryan discuss 'lrri-
CATION and National Development" to-
night. Emphasizing the Importance of
irrigation, Mr.. Bryan said, in part:
"Irrigation is in its infancy. 1t is one
of the oldest forms of agriculture in
the world, but 1t Is one OF the newest
in the United States, because of the
vast areas available for cultivation
with the natural rainfall. AS these
lands have now become occupied, the
attention Of the American people has
been turned to the reclamation OF
swamp lands and arid lands. Already
we have begun storing water IN ,1 tne
arid regions of the west, and this VIII
go on until all the surplus water has
been utilized.
"In the utilization of these flood
waters a conflict has arisen between
states, making 1t necessary for the
national government to act as arbi-
traitor.
conservationists as to the spheres of
the state and the nation. This dis
cussion is a natural one. 1t is not only
healthful but necessary.
"The national interests are not to be
IGNORED, and in the same way state In
terests are not to be overlooked. be-
iieve when the problem has been thor
oughly discussed in all its phases the
two factions therein will agree on a
nlan which win give both the sub
stance of the things contended for
SELECT COMMITTEE oHAIRMEN
Late today chairmen Of committees
were chosen as follows:
Resolutions-Governor ]. II. Ktbbey
Of Arizona.
Permanent organization = H. Moody
of Spokane.
edentials-Francis Cuttel of Cali
The following announcements were
made of members on the resolutions
committees:
Colorado-Judge c. C. Holbrook.
Kansas-E. r. Thorpe.
Board of control members-Former
Governor Adams and r. M. Faxon.
The California delegation is making
a strong fight to secure an indorse-
ment of San Francisco as the place
for holding the exposition celebrating
the completion of the Panama cana1.
Today, while attending the congress,
Governor Shafroth received telegram
from Governor Gillett of California,
asking him to use his influence to
have the resolutions of Endorsement
adopted by the congress. Governors
Shafroth replied that he would be glad
to comply and included the announce
ment that he had appointed ]. Knox
Burton of Pueblo, honorary vice pres
ident for Colorado.