The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-07
FINE RECORD OF WILLIAM B. CRAIG The Only Retiring Alabama
 Representative REGRET AT CAPITAL Work for Extension of Experiments in Irrigation in the Humid
 Regions-His Last
 Work

Washington, March 6.-CSpecial. )-The retirement of Representative William Benjamin Craig of Selma from Congress will make the only change in the Alapan,a delegation. MT. Craig will leave the House after two terms of service, in which he has been notably active and useful to his district and the state. His determination to retire when announced more than year ago caused keen re- gret among his colleagues, who have come to look upon him as an able, con- scientious and energetic man. His last work in Congress-an extension of eX- periments in irrigation in the humid re- gions-serves as a good example of his endeayors. Nearly a year ago he intro dueed in the House a bill to provide in-' creased appropriations for those experi- ments, but the newness of the thing worked against him. Congressman had not heard of irrigation in any country that was not arid. MT. Craig told how humid regions of Europe had been irri- gated for hundreds of years. He quoted course, he talked most of and for the South-could be very dry; he advanced the opinions of experts of the agricul- tural department and of scientists abroad. His bill was defeated.
 He tried again this year. His bill was adversely reported by the agriculture committee. Despite that report he in 6uced the House by a convincing speech to pass it. It may revolutionize meth ods of agriculture in the south. It in CoiIfhfs prnnS-pSnnpiallV cotton very especially when the boil weevil comes.
 A great deal of MT. Craig's work, in fact has been in connection with the agricultural department Better farm methods-by irrigation, by soil surveys that showed farmers what they were put ting their seeds in, by bulletins of valua- ble information. by experts sent into the field by the agricultural department, by insistence upon the proper handling of crop statistics. better farm methods ob- tained in every way have been his hobby.
 He likewise touched upon the products of southern soil in his efforts-that will bear fruit next session-to prevent the department of justice from using Gts fees, as it was alleged to do, in breaking the cotton market by securing the indict- ment of southern. cotton bulls when they had the market skying, and ignoring the long, persistent practice of bears to break it. Last session and this MT. Craig ad- vocated that Congress find out just what were the processes of the department in proceeding against bulls of cotton, for getting bears in the same staple, and bulls that made wheat and bread so dear But it was republican House that he pleaded before. It will be different when some one else pleads before the next House.
 Mir. Craig did valuable work for the rivers of Alabama, for which he helped to secure large appropriations. He did his share toward extending postal ser vice in the country and he secured some fine federal buildings for the towns of his district.
 MT. Craig was a member of the public lands, alcoholic traffic and state depart ment expenditures committees during hls service here. As well as being a good speaker he was hard committee work CT, and his endeavors on the public lands committee were especially well directed.
 Though he Is only S3 years old, he has had a notable experience in the House He and Mrs. Craig have made numerous friends in congressional circles and thelr departure with their little son, William B. Craig, Jr., Is much regretted.