The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-06-02
Address Delivered
To Convention
at Weiser Idaho

livered to the convention of women's
clubs at Weiser, Idaho, last Wednes.
day by Ethelyn CHASER, state chair
man of reclamation and conservation
of the federation of women's clubs:
To earnest students of reclama-
ton in Idaho, one of the most serious
questions confronting us at this par
ticular time is that of providing ways
and means of continuing the work of
our state organization, the Idaho
Reclamation association, whose in
fluence during the two short years of
its organization, has been most far
reaching. Not sonly did the Idaho
Reclamation association originate
the plan of organizing the Western
States Reclamation association, but
our association has also supplied a
great number of the soundest ideas
adopted as the working program of
the Western States Reclamation as
ISOLATION.
The choice OF our governor, Hon.
D.. w. Davis, as president of the
Western States Reclamation associa-
ton, bears evidence of Idaho's recog-
nized position in the vanguard Of
reclamation movements. Can we at
ford to lose this proud position by
carelessness or Indifference?
The latest news from Washington
is that the western men interested in
irrigation have adopted plan to
bring the U. S. congress on trip
thru the west next fall, so that their
own eyes may see the truth about
reclamation and what it means to
the whole country. This plan, which
was conceived by Major Fred R.
Reed, and first received publicity
thru the Idaho Reclamation associa-
tion nearly a year ago, has become
today the slogan of all the western
states, and so it has been with many
other plans originated by our Idaho
organization. t
Unless each state interested keeps
up its own reclamation morale,
maintains its own organizations, and
supports that organization both NOR
ally and financially, there will be no
source from which to draw talent,
labor and funds to back the Western
States Reclamation association,
which without that backing would
soon become powerless. There is
work for us all to do to lend strength
to the efforts of our governor and
our delegation In congress.
If we Of Idaho alone allow our
state organization to fall by the way
side, how long can we expect to cope
with tho uyoI1 orUo pi1ad ouI moro
powerful states like California,
Washington and Oregon, when the
time comes to share governmental
funds that may become available?
Again, il we allow this statewide
association to fall, how can we hope
to restrain selfish personal interests
within our own state-interests that
work for projects, not principles.
that look to private gain rather than
to state good? There is practically
enough water for all, If scientific
plans for irrigation are followed in
one great system, holding strictly to
the principle of working for the
greatest good to the greatest num-
Der. @8
Are we alive to those questions of |
which mean so much,
not only to our state but to our |
We are proud to welcome to our
state Mrs. Thomas G. Winter, of
whose broadmind vision
and loving service have made her
he chosen leader of the two million
federated club women of America.
The message our noble president is
bringing us is that we have no
strictly "home" problems, no "local"
problems, but that all are part of one
,reat national problem, and that
heir solution lies in a quickened ma +
ional consciousness. /,
In expressing that sentiment, she
'oices the very. soul Of Idaho, for
veil we know that ours is national
IS well as local problem. We reach
'ut our hands and hearts to the
'lder, richer states for help and
understanding in these great pio-
eering problems wherein are wrap
ed up the very life of our state. We
lead, for the sake of the nation,
hat we be given help, not hindrance.
Tile pIO6IcSS IudI Will u6du SO
ouch toward satisfying the unrest
n the hearts of the homeless and I'M
mployed. The immediate beginning
( these great construction works
nd the future tillage of these val |
sys are one great answer toward re- !
ewing the present industrial sitpa- !
on in the U. s.
In the name of Idaho, would
lead to our great president that she
AIRY back to our sisters in the east
le understanding that we are build
IS, not Decorators; that we would
1hance, not destroy, the beauties of :.
lr country. If we ask a few acres ?
mosquito pasture in the very =
,rner of Yellowstone park, and be- g
w the cascades we are falsely &C. =
lsed of wishing to destroy, we are = J
illing to give back from Idaho a =
ore beautiful and romantic acreage =,
prospective parkland, besides 9
to create with the ?
aters we ask to conserve in Fall .
liver Meadow reservoir, another ir-
CATION empire almost comparable in
sefulness and beauty with the
oise valley. What a blessing and
hat Joy it would be to our tourist \,
lends to find such a continuous ap- =
roach on this side Of the park, in =
cad Of endless miles of desert. e
II we ask appropriations from con- II
60 he I,,sI l