THE IR RIG ATI OX AGE. 25 



of education upon matters that pertain to the problems of irrigation 

 that is the plan of the congress. It is composed of men who are 

 earnest and devoted workers in this field and who are numbered 

 among the best informed men in the work upon m atters that are as- 

 sociated with these problems of reclamation of arid lands and the im- 

 provement of those that are semi-arid. 



Hon. El wood Mead, superintendent of the federal bureau of irri- 

 gation in Wyoming, read an interesting paper on "Water Right Prob- 

 lems." Mr. Mead outlined the growth and development of the water 

 right problem, and showed its importance. He illustrated the knotty 

 points that have arisen, and pointed out the dangers that they 

 threaten. Suggestions were made as to remedies of existing evils 

 and valuable outlines presented of explanations that would work the 

 reform that is much needed. 



Hon. T. L. Cannon, secretary of the St. Louis Manufacturers' 

 Association said in part: 



"The appropriation of money for irrigation is as necessary as it is 

 for the improvement of rivers and harbors. The Congressman must 

 understand that when he spends public money he spends your money 

 and you are entitled to some of its benefits. Private capital can not 

 accomplish this great work of reclamation. States can not do it as 

 states. The authority and the funds of this work must come from 

 federal sources. This cause is just. You must work to convince 

 congress, that is, not by threats, but by presenting the cause in its 

 true light. Every dollar that is expended in building storage reser- 

 voirs and irrigating canals will carry on this development and will be 

 returned a hundredfold.' If it was right to spend millions in Havana 

 harbor; if it was right to pay 20,000,000 for the Philippines, my God, 

 is it not right to spend money for th reclamation of vast empires of 

 arid America?" 



Continuing, he said that it is convincing facts that must be 

 presented to congress. 



"It is not what irrigation will do, but what it has done," said he, 

 "that you must show them. The next congress should be held where 

 you can show the east what you have done. Instead of having yonr 

 exhibits up here in the mountains, send them where they will be seen 

 by the people you want to interest. Interest the manufacturers who 

 sell you wares. Show them how they will have bigger markets if 

 the arid lands are reclaimed." 



Mr. Cannon advised the congress to hold its next meeting in 

 some great eastern manufacturing center. 



Prof. Xewellthen delivered his lecture upon"Hydrographic Work 

 o! the United States Geological Survey, "of which he is at'the head. 

 The lecture was illustrated with stereopticon views. Prof. Newell 

 traced the histoiy of irrigation legislation in the United States, say- 

 ing at the beginning: "The origin of the reservoir investigations 



