Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1912-03-01
BUSINESS OF IRRIGATION
CONGRESS At PORTLAND.

PORTLAND, ore. Feb. 26.-Ore-
CONS first state Irrigation congress,
which met in Portland February 1s-
21, closed with the unanimous opin-
ion that It was one Of the most i'm
portant and representative gather
ings ever held. One hundred and
fifty-six delegates we're in attendance
from all sections OF the state. 1t ae-
complished the chief objects for
which II was called. The many In
terests which have been working sep
arately for or against the govern
ment, the Carey act and the private
projects have been brought together.
They are now united in an organiza-
tion which will endeavor to secure
the passage Of legislation that will
offer every possible aid to the prompt
development OF all irrigation projects
ard at the same time protect to the
fullest possible extent the rights of
the settler.
The official announcement by e.
G. Hopson, project engineer, that the
secretary of the interior would pro-
oeed with the completion Of the Una
tilla project and would take care to
protect all vested land and water
rights was the principal piece Of good
news divulged at the congress. The
statement was preceded by tele-
gram from President Taft saying that
ne would endeavor to accord justice
to Oregon and give to it its just share
OF the reclamation funds.
The resolutions adopted by the
convention included a petition to
congress asking for an appropriation
Of SIS, 100000 a year for a series OF
five years for the construction and
development Of feasible irrigation
projects, and that Oregon be given
her full share in accordance with the
provisions OF the original reclamation
act, which apportioned funds for such
purposes in proportion to the amount
contributed by the sale Of public
lands.
The congress also favored the en-
sctment of legislation that will, as
far as possible, give the control of
the various irrigation projects into
the hands Of the settlers, the men
who have, eventually, to pay all the
bills. 1t also contempates the organ
iaation Of irrigation districts and the
fpancing of the obligations OF de-
lolopment, after the manner of nun
icipal improvement districts.
Other resolutions favored the per-
fection of the present system of wa
ter titles, enactment of legislation to
protect the settler against fraud and
urging the investigation, by the leg
islature, of the Kansas law which
permits an official scrutiny of the
assets and resources of people who
file articles Of incorporation.
The work of the Oregon Develop
ment League in concentrating its ef-
forts to place people on the land, as
opposed to city development, was
commended. The irrigation Of the
large territory tributary to the John
Day river was also favored,
The officers elected were: Presi
dent, William Hanley of Burns; c. c.
Chapman, of the Oregon Development
league, VIM. ]. Mariner Of Blalock,
and NJ, ]. Lee, of Candy, vice presl-
dents; /. }. Hlnkle OF Hermiston
secretary-treasurer.
The next meeting of the Central
Oregon Development league will be
held at Lakeview August 2O-22. This
date was fixed by a conference OF
representatives Of the Lake View
Commercial club, the Oregon Devel-
opment league and the Central Ore
gon Development league. Plans are
being formed to take 400 business
men from Portland and other parts
OF the state to Bend by rail and
thence to Lakeview by automobile.
returning via Medford Plans are
being made to make the Lakeview
meeting memorable.