, 1922-06-29
EMERSON SPOKE
TO LIONS CLUB
STATE ENGINEER FRANK c. EMERSON
VAS GUEST OF HONOR At LIONS
WEEKLY LUNCHEON

The regular weekly nche OF
the Lions club. Thursday noon, was
distinguished by the presence Of
State Engineer Frank C. Emerson.
who was the speaker of the day and
who gave an interesting and instruc-
tive talk on the present status Of
the irrigation project in the Sara
toga-Encampment valley. Prior to
the time when President Geo. A..
Bible called upon the speaker. the
usual formalities of a Lions meet
ing were gone through With and a
delightful repast given due atten-
ton.
Some half doz"n visitors. who were
the guests of the Lions. were pres
emit. and each was accorded the
courtesy of the floor in a 9 he had
anything on his mind, but with one
accord these lesser lights voluntarily
dimmed themselves in order that
the time of the principal speaker
might not be taken up. Then there
were a few minor business matters.
such as reports Of committees. fines
and penalties for infraction Of the
rules. besides vocal and instrumental
music. all of which added 10 the
gaiety Of the occasion.
An. Instructive Talk
Mr.. Emerson's speech was given
earnest and careful attention for he
had chosen as his subject one of
paramount local importance, that OF
irrigation Inc the rights and relations
of states In the matter Of approprta-
ton Of irrigation waters origin
ating within their boundaries and
flowing into other states. Particu-
lar reference was made to the great
irrigation project in the Saratoga
Encampment valley, which has been
the subject Of negotiations between
the state OF Wyoming and the federal
reclamation service for some time.
The speaker was provided with
maps which were used in pointing
out different phases Of the proposed
improvement and which made clear
many things which had not been gen.
orally understood previously. He
assured his hearers that the state
engineers office vas not over
looking any possible opportunity to
promote the interests Of all con-
cerned in this very desirable develop
ment and showed that real progress
had already been made in the lace
of many serious obstacles. These ir-
rigation systems are SO large and Of
such permanent nature that they can
AOb NC 0RpEV0CneN III n nApQA8AIQ
way. but must be given the most
careful consideration in order that
b eventual accomplishment may be
the more successful.
The Pass Greek and the Big Creek
projects we're both discussed BY Mr..
Emerson and both declared to be
feasible, the former being capable
of completion Mt a far lower cost than
the latter. A considerable discrep-
ancy exists between the cost figures
compiled BY the reclamation service
and those of the state engineers Of
flee. but Mr.. Emerson expressed
himself as being confident that the
reclamation service is the best
agency to gring about these develop
ments as their plan does not require
a return on the money invested and
has many features that cannot be
met by 4 private company.
The Colorado River
The speaker then took up the
matter Of the proposed division of
the waters of the Colorado river,
which has been the subject of sew
eral interstate conferences and
which will come up At another meet
at which time he will again represent
the state OF wyoming.
He spoke at some length Of the
movement fostered by Nj. Hoover, of
h department OF commerce. to
bring about an equitable division of
the waters of this great stream and
also a cordial and cooperative un-
Outstanding among the interested
states regarding the storage and use
OF its water for power and irrigation,
with due and proper regard for the
rights Of all, in which should be
included not only the seven states
OF Wyoming. Colorado, Utah, Nevada,
California. Arizona and New Mexfeo,
0ot thai part OF the Republic OF
Mexico. through which the river