Omaha daily bee., 1910-09-28
IRRIGATION AND PROGRESS
Former President Barstow Makes
Plea Before Irrigation Congress.
COMMITTEES ARE APPOINTED
Colorado DeIeEatioR at Its Meeting
Drafts Memorial for million
Year TO Gauge Flow of
streams.

PUEBLO, Colo. sept Z5.-The completion
OF committee sppoiD tments was the first
important business transacted upon the
eonvening OF the eighteenth National Irri-
cation congress this morning Tne various
state delegations devoted the early morn
ing hours to the confederation Of policy.
The most pronounced interest centered
in the meeting OF the Colorado delegation.
This meeting is expected to determine to
what extent the question OF states rights
viii be injected into the deliberations OF
the present congress-
irrigation by Private Men was the
topic Of this nsernIs.<s session OF the con-
gress. This afternoon ~Puhlic Irrigations
was considered.
At the meeting OF the Colorado delegation
this morning a resolution was presented
recommending that our respective congress
sioHal deieeations urge that there be ap-
proDriated out Of the reclamation service
fund H.00o-OO0 annually FOR the purpose OF
guaging the public streams Of the United
states geological survey"
A second resolution was offered dealing
with the Elephant Butte project in New
Mexico, insofar as the reservations OF
water made therefore and to fulfill the
treaty with Old Mexico are concerned
The sponsors OF this resolution protest
against, first, the assumption that any
injury which may have been done to Mex
leo is due TO the development of irrigation
near the source Of the Rio .GIrande in
I Colorado, and. second. the assumption
that in order to comply with the obiiga-
tons OF the treaty in question further ex-
tension OF irrigation in the san Luis
valley in Colorado must be prohibited.
Against these two assumptions Colorado
protests because they are directly con-
/ trary to the fact"
Irrigation Aid to Progress.
/ George Eames Barsrow OF Bars1ow, Tex.
former president Of the National Irrigation
congress. in his address delivered here
I today made a strong appeal for irri-
/ cation, not only as an economic project.
Dut as aid TO civilization and a potent
/ factor in the worlds progress. His speech.
/ in part. follows:
The first essential for a successful issue
! OF irrigation is a sufficient supply OF good
water One may possess se.OO0 5000 OF
10000 acres Of fine alluvial land. splendid
( climate, nearby markets, etc. and yet il
lacking proper supply Of water ne need
( not look for a successful issue | regret
/ 10 say that there are men in different
parts OF our country Who having gained
possession Of land. have made the limo
cent to suffer and also brought some dis
| repute on a great and most important ma
tional industry.
We cannot too strongly condemn
operations OF this kind. and l trust that tn,
committee on resolutions OF this congress.
will present for our adoption a resolution
on this matter. setting the subject befOr,
the country in no uncertain manner Il
We are 10 continue in irrigation by privat,
enterprise In the great arid and semi-arit
parts Of our nation We must constantly
draw sad hold the confidence Of oul
monled interests and investing classes
We cannot hope for such most desirabI.