The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-02-18
NATIONAL DRAINAGE CONGRESS.

The National Drainage congress has
been called to meet in second anhuai
session in New Orleans, April 10 to u
inclusive. This gives ample time Tor
the spirited people of Iowa to
prepare for a good representation OF
this state at meeting the results OF.
which will be of great Importance
both to the state and to the country
in general.
The National Drainage congress
was organized in Chicago last Decem-
Der for the purpose OF bringing about
comprehensive method and system
Of national drainage that will reclaim
the more than 7o,O00,000 acres OF
swamp and overflow lands of the
country, greatly benefit the public
health by destroying the present DIS
ease breeding places which these
lands constitute. and materially add
to the national prosperity. 1t is called
the National Drainage congress pc.
cause its work is national in charac-
ter. 1t is the geatest work in the de-
velopment of our natural resources
ever undertaken The question OF
swamp drainage is of such great
magnitude that state lines must be
obliterated and the work conducted
under federal supervision.
1t is not mercenary organization.
Each state, as a unit should see that
every locality within its territory is
represented by an active member.
Iowa is entitled to a large representa-
ton at the New Orleans meeting. The
membership Of the National Drainage
congress is made OPP OF fifteen dele
gates fom each state, to be appoint
ed by the governor; ten delegates
from each city having a population or
over twenty-five thousand, to be ap-
pointed by the mayor; five delegates
from each city and town having
population less than twenty-five thous-
Eand and over one, thousand. to be ap
POINTED by the mayor OF chief execu-
tive, FIVE delegates from each coun-
ty. to be appointed by the, chairman
of the governing board: two delegates
from each incorporated town having a
population of less than one thousand;
from each regularly organized associa-
ton devoted to drainage, irrigation,
or other reclamation work, agricul-
ture, horticulture and engineering;
and from each college and commerce.
body concerned with public interests
which has been duly organized not
less than year ago.
The congress is organized on broad
lines to aid in our national develop
ment. Over seventy-fiye million acres
of unhealthy, disease breeding
swamps exist in the United States
that can be successfully drained and
made extremely productive. The chic
engineer of the United States govern
mnt says ii can be done. Such goof
/ business men as James J. Hill of the
tGreat Northern and B. F. Yoakum O
the Frisco Railroad say it is practical
+ Great swamps exist that are interstate
4 in character and too great for pri
Iyate capital to handle. 1t is the pur
pose of the National Drainage con
gress to acquaint the people of thu
4 United States with the wonderful pos
Esibiiities OF swamp drainage and Sc
cure federal aid and cooperation il
the work. This will add immensely t
our national wealth, health and CON
MERGE The results viii be perpetua
and recurrent as these swamp land
become fertile fields producing yearl
immense crops that will perpetual
add great wealth to our country.
iowa has taken advanced steps
both private and public drainage.
the public drainage of swamp land
over si5,O00,ooo had been expende
AT tho close Of 1910 to drain apDro