Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-10-20

albuquerque MOrnlng j
bled in El Paso few men of the
west who realized western conditions
and had real vision of the POSSIBLE
ties which the future held in store
Ihey brought together knowledge of
actual conditions as they prevailed in
the arid sections OF the country. From
practical experience and observation
they knew what results could be OBJ
tained through the development of
the numerous fertile valleys in the
western third of the United states by
the utilization of the flood waters
which annually, without service, found
their way TO the sea. They organ
lied the first irrigation congress and
began the great work of directing the
attention of the country to western
conditions
AT these congresses, annually held,
We're brought together the men who
knew the facts and men of scientific
knowledge who analy2ed the facts,
The people Of the country were inn
pressed with the benefits which were
sure to come from development
through the means of irrigation These
men were unCeasing in their efforts,
which We're finally crowned with sue
cess by the passing of the federal
irrigation law, under which this struc-
ture has been erected and undel
which other projects in other sections
of the west have been completed and
put into actual operation.
Congresses Awokc the People.
Through these congresses the peo-
ttl of h., mil
of the nation were brought to realize
the Importance NO fhe country ht
large Of these vast enterprises. Thous-
ands of American citizens have been
enabled to obtain homes and rear
their families under conditions which
insure a hardy and vigorous citizen
ship. Entcrprising and prosperous
communities have resulted, food pro
ducts are being added to the national
supply i'm an ever increasing ratio,
and the arid west is gradually assum-
ing a reasonable share of the burdens
of government. Many unforeseen
difficulties have been encountered,
hut they are being met and overcome
with an intelligence which should
commend itself to all those who are
interested I'm the fostering of irriga-
ton.
Proceeds Used for Development
With the idea that the federal gov
eminent should engage in such WORT
there came the further thought that
the proceeds derived from the public
lands i'm the western portion of the
United states should be used in large
measure. i'm the further development
of the west. 1t is now kecnly realiz-
cd that the land. the coal, the pc
troIeum. the timber ana the vast pos
sibilities for the generation of eleCtri-
cal power have no value, separate and
apart from the human beings who
can put them into use. In order to
secure the population ana to bulld up
the communities, it is essential that
such conditions be brought about as
will make living in the west not only
cndurablo. but inviting The first es-
sental is human food. And, in this
arid country, it can only be obtained,
! with certainty and in abundance,
! through the irrigation Of the land 1t
would seem, therefore, that the funds
to be derived from the land and pow
/ er resources i'm the west could be de-
voted to no better purpose than that
| of aiding and assisting irrigation.
1t must not be forgotten that the
disposition of the public lands rests
with congress. an. that the~ oengye IS
consists Of representatives of the peo-
nile NOT only of the west. but through
Gut the nation. ana the fact that the
bniIdinp Of This dam has been fl
nanced i'm accordance with federal
/ Legislation makes us realize that we
are mart Of one common countrs
ana mai This dam stands also as a