East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-01-08

VIII lie Held Saturday-Same Offi-
GERS Probable.
PORTLAND, Ore. Jan. Sit Is
apparent that the Irrigation Con-
gress now In session here will recon-
mend no particular appropriation
from either the state or federal gov
ernment for any specific irrigation
district.
The almost universal sentiment ex-
pressed at the series OF meetings yes
terday favored action toward general
statewide irrigation development in
stead OF development for any partie-
ular district.
1t Is probable that the congress will
adopt resolutions asking FOR both
state and federal aid for irrigation
purposes. and that the claims OF all
districts represented at the meeting
will be pointed out but no recommen-
dation OF localities will be made.
Revolving Fund Wanted.
Instead OF asking the state legis-
lature for another direct appropriation
as was done two years ago for the
Tumalo district, II Is anticipated that
the convention will ask merely that
the $3.50, 900 recently spent at Tumalo
be converted into n revolving fund.
so that II can be used for further ir-
rigaton development as fast as II Is
returned 10 the state by the Tumalo
farmers.
The plan TO levy n 1-mill tax upon
all the property in the state, as out
lined earlier in the week. was pre-
sented formally 20 the congress yes
terday by j. I. Hosklns OF Umatilla
county. Mr.. Hoskins pointed out
that this would net approximately
$1,OO0.O00 annually, and that in ac-
cordance with the present policy OF
the federal interior department. the
federal government would match this
money dollar for dollar. providing
$4,000, 900 for Irrigation purposes ev-
cry year.
Already much interest Is develop
ing over the election OF officers
which IS the last order OF business Oh
Saturday. II Is certain that Asa p
Thompson Of Echo. will be re elected
1 president. Although Mr.. Thompson
came here with the avowed intention
of not accepting the office again. the
| fact that he Is a member OF the Ma
! tional Irrigation Commission, which
meets in Washington. ID. C.. within q
few weeks. was impressed upon him
as a reason for his becoming n can
! didate. II was pointed out that M
can be OF the greatest use TO the state
| II he goes TO the national convention
! as president OF the congress. and III
finally consented TO accept the office
again II 1t should be rendered TO him
Mayor Welcomes Delegates.
]. w. Brewer OF Redmond. who
seemed to be in the lead for the pres,
idency until late yesterday. was am
ong those who induced Mr. Thompson
TO stand for reelection. Mr.. Brewer
doubtless will be reelected first vic,
president and Fred NJ. Wallace. oI
Lakeview. can be reelected secretary
II he wants the office.
The meeting got under way yester'
day morning under direction OF Pres
ident Thompson, who introduced May
OF Albee The mayor delivered a
brief address OF welcome on behalf
OF the city. c C. Chapman spoke ir
kind for the Portland Commercial
club.
a. o. Walker OF Alfalfa, responded
for the irrigatlonists. He called at.
tention to the fact that Western ore.
gon now pays nearly two-thIrds OF the
taxes OF the state and that eastern
Oregon. which Is the greater in area
should be developed 80 that II will bC
able to share the burden OF taxation
He concluded that It's development
can be brought about only through
irrigation, as most OF the eastern par
of the state cannot be made produc
tive without water.
The following committees were ap
pointed
Credentials-F. N. Wallace. Laid
law; L. A. Hunt. Lower Bridge; o. A
Peavie. Madras; w. w. Caviness
Vale; J B. Bell. Prineville.
Resolutions-J. W. Brewer, Red
mond, chairman: Clark Letter. Port.
land. secretary; John Rigby. Vale: A
w. Trow, Ontario: Frank sloan. Stan
field; C. s. McNaught. Hermiston; II
w. Gard, Madras; Il. B, Williams
Powell Butte: l.. A. Hunt, Lower
Bridge; o. Laurgaard, Laidlaw; VIII
liam Hanley, Burns; Abel Ady, Klam
ath Falls; C. C. Chapman, Portland.
The following were appointed assist
ant secretaries; II. w. Turner. Mad
ras; A. e. Grelner. Echo; r. II. At
klnson. Portland.
]. T. Hoskin, in speaking for Una
tilla county, presented the plan for
1-mill tax levy for irrigation purpose
and urged in support of II that tn
state would be doubly repaid--first b
the farmers, who also would be re
quired to pay reasonable rate o
interest, and second by the increas
in the taxable value OF the state.
S. f. watson, county school superin
tendent Of Morrow county, presente
the possibilities OF that district an
predicted that electric power will
an important factor in solving tn
future irrigation problems OF tn
state.