Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-20

Iowa to prepare for good represen-
station OF this state at meeting, the
results OF which will be of such vital
Importance both to the state and to
the country in general.
THE National Drainage congress
was organized in Chicago last De-
cember, for the purpose OF bringing
about comprehensive method and
system of national drainage that VIII
reclaim more than 75,000,000 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.
at is called the National Drainage
congress because it's work is national
in character 1t is the greatest work
in the development of our natural re-
sources ever undertaken. The ques-
ton of swamp drainage is OF such
great magnitude that state lines must
be obliterated and the work conducted
under federal supervision.
st is not a mercenaN organization.
Each state, as unit should see that
every locality within its territory is
represented by All active member.
Iowa is entitled to large representa-
ton at the New Orleans meeting.
1.-The membership of the National
Drainage congress shall be made up OF
the following:
Fifteen delegates from each state,
to be appointed by the governor
thereof,
"Ten delegates from each city hav-
ing a population of over $4,000, to be
appointed by the mayor.
give delegates from each city and
town having a population less than
rs, 900 and over 1000, to be appointed
by the mayor or chief executive.
Five delegates from each county,
to be appointed by the chairman OF
the governing board.
1.-TWO delegates from each incorpor-
ated town having a population OF less
than 1000; from each regularly or
ganized association devoted to drain
age, irrigation. or other reclamation
work, agriculture, horticulture and en-.
gineering; and from each college ana
commercial body concerned with pub
lie interests which has been duly or
ganized not less than a year ago.
"All duly accredited members OF
state and federal drainage, irrigation,
water or conservation commissions.
a"All state engineers and state COM
missioners of agriculture and hortl-
culture.
"All officers, chairmen of commit
tees. members of the executive COM
mittee, honorary vice-presidents, mem
bers of the board OF control and
permanent delegates of the congress
sThe governor of each state, and
the mayor Of each city and town hav-
ing population Of over 1000.
"The president of the United States
and all members Of his cabinet, and
all members of the United States sen
ate and house of representatives.
Iowa has taken advanced steps IN
both private and public drainage. IN
the public drainage of swamp lands
over SIS, 100000 has been expended at
the close of 1910 to drain approximate
ly 100000 acres. This once worth.
less land now has an average value OF
$125 per acre, a gain In wealth to the
state of over third of billion OF dol
lars for the few years OF drainage
work. There are approximately mill
lion acres of swamp and overnoW
lands in the state now that are useless
for agricultural purposes and the
breeding places of disease. Some OF
this great acreage is so located that
the proper drainage of it involves in
terstate problems and problems that
relate to the navigable rivers which
are under the exclusive control of the
federal government. That is one OF
the unanswerable arguments why
there should be national drainage
system constructed under the super
vision of the federal government"
o,,1 X.,,s e-,inN