6 DRY FARMING CONGRESS. 



the arid West, and of the nation. Utah's first settlers were the pioneers* 

 of irrigation in America. With the aid of science and of the National Irri- 

 gation Congress and other agencies, irrigation has been developed from 

 crude begnnings into an exact science; and its benefits have received world- 

 wide recognition. So Utah, in common with other western states and 

 territories, has a number of pioneers in dry farming. Some of them are 

 here, honored delegates to this Congress. I hope they are all here; for we 

 may well sit at the feet of such men and be instructed in the arts b}^ which 

 they have brought this industry to the point of excellence it has reached. 



I think we shall soon welcome the day when from their more or less 

 experimental efforts arid farming will be evolved into as exact and useful 

 a science as irrigation. This will be accomplished by the efforts of this 

 Congress and like agencies and with the aid of the science evoked in the 

 cause of irrigation. With this difference: That dry farming will be of ap- 

 plication on a much larger acreage than irrigation can ever hope for. 



For the initiative in organizing this Congress we are indebted to 

 former Governor J. F. McDonald of Colorado. It will be a perpetual 

 monument to him. I pay him the tribute of sincere admiration for the 

 idea. If Colorado has the honor of originating the Congress, Utah has 

 the distinction of furnishing its first president. (Applause.) I like to see 

 Fisher Harris mixed up with dry things. (Laughter and applause.) They 

 don't remain dry very long. And everyone knows that no company he 

 mingles with and no discussion he engages in can be dry very long. (Ap- 

 plause.) 



We regret very much that he has sustained a loss of voice. We hope 

 the loss is only temporary. But if his vocal chords are temporarih- par- 

 alyzed, we have the best of evidence from the splendid preparations he 

 has made for this Congress and the large and representative attendance 

 he has secured, that his good right arm and his brain are not para^'zed. 

 (Applause.) And though we miss his silver-tongued orator}^ we get the 

 benefit of his unceasing labor. Ladies and gentlemen, Utah is proud of 

 this Congress and of its president. 



Coupled with the formation of the Congress is another event equally 

 important. I refer to the formulation and introduction of an act in 

 Congress by Senator Smoot of Utah, proposing such amendments to the 

 homestead law as will make it possible for thousands of families to make 

 homes and farms in w^hat have been thought irredeemable wastes. I am 

 very much mistaken if these two events do not prove of incalculable value 

 to the West and to the Nation. 



Regarding one of the subjects that will doubtless come before the Con- 

 gress, I wish to make a brief statement of my position. I am strongly 

 in favor of the preservation of our resources and I endorse the Govern- 

 ment's public land and forest reserve policy. The fundamental principle 

 involved is correct. It has developed in recent conventions that certain 

 interests are opposed to these policies. It is a question in my mind if it is 

 not a disagreement as to some minor details of enforcement rather than 

 opposition to the principle of conservation. If it should happen that any 



