The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-06-08
TWO IDEAS ON
IRRIGATION TO
BE CONSIDERED.
Large Hydro-Electric Power
Plant at Bismarck and Small
Project Plans Discussed
COMMITTEE is NAMED
All Subjects Before Irrigation
COMMITTEE is NAMED
All Subjects Before Irrigation
Congress to go Before
Resolutions Committee

Resolutions Committee
Delegates to the state irrigation
congress, meeting in the state capitol
today undertook the formulation of a
definite expression of the conference
upon the methods to be pursued in
the development of irrigation in North
and South Dakota and Montana. Fol
lowing the opening session yesterday
afternoon the various proposals and
ideas of the individuals present, many
of whom had made deep study OF
the question, were given to the con-
gress in speeches and resolutions.
These thoughts expressed by the dele
gates were to be shaped in commit
tees and in consideration of definite
action by the conference as a whole.
Two major proposals for action
We're developed from the individual
expression. One proposes the build
ing by the government of huge dam
across the Missouri river at Bismarck,
to conserve waters Of the river for
irrigation and to develop hydro-elec-
trio power. The second is the build.
ing of dams on smaller streams such
as the Heart and Cannonball rivers,
impounding the water to be used for
irrigating comparatively small tracts
Of land. .E# e..
Spokesman for the two projects
presented their views at length to
the congress. Many delegates held
that there should be a joint develop
ment of the two projects. K. AZ.
Stevens, of Devils Lake, stressed the
Importance of the Missouri river prof
cct while Joseph M. Devine, of Nor
ton county, urged that the project OF
impounding waters of small streams
be carried on first.
A comprehensive report was made
to the congress by George Mcmahon,
assistant state engineer, in charge OF
reclamation and irrigation engineer
ing.
Realizing the work accomplished by
Mr.. Mcmahon, delegates were prepared
to introduce a resolution asking the
next session of the legislature to ap-
propriate $25,00o to pay for the en-
ployment of three irrigation engineers
for two years, and to make possible
exhaustive investigation by them.
Committee Appointed.
The claims of proponents of develop,
ment of small irrigation projects and
those urging program to secure
mammoth hydro-electric plant and lr-
rigation dam in Missouri river were
placed before the resolutions commit.
tee. Representatives of differing ideas
were placed upon the committee.
with all phases Of irrigation posi-
biities in the state placed before the
congress through speeches from floor
the resolutions committee Of which
List of Bowman county was named
chairman, was expected to thrash out
during the day all questions and evolve
a definite plan of action for the con-
gress.
C. C. Converse, state tax commits
sioner detailed the the congress the his
tory of the Williston and lower Yellow
stone irrigation projects and told dele
gates that il North Dakota farmers un-
dertook to farm by irrigation they
must be prepared to revolutlonlze
their methods, to farm small tracts IN
tensively rather than whole sections
of land. The Williston, North Dakota
project failed at the start because this
necessary change of method was not
made. he said, but added that many
farmers now are protiting more upor
i, 30 acres of land tracts than previous
" upon sections.
Gen. Williams Presides
The conference was opened oy y
A. Williams, who was president o.
the state irrigation association at tne
last congress held Ja2nery 2o-2e
1aO5 in Bismarck. FL Introduced
Chief Justice Luther e. Birdzell, o.
tho supreme ourt, who outlined tn;
scope and purpose of the present con
gress.
At the very start of the conference
tho nroposals of delegates to con
serve the spring flood waters or I'M
missouri and Yellowstone rivers ~
Montana, South and North Dakot'
was urged as an important measure y
nrevention of the oft-times dlsastrou
flooding of the lower Mississippi riV
or The delegates present were cnlel
" from North Dakota, although WON
tana and South Dakota were repre-
sented. n Cam
+ors McCumber and Ladd and Con
srossmen or Burtness, Young and Sir
elair Of North Dakota, the Governo
of Montana and Soutn Dahoea 1h,., an
ator Norbeck of South DaKota an
other officials of Montana ana NOT. ~
dakota Invitations had been e.
tended to the Governors OF SCUM la
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