The San Francisco call. [volume], November 15, 1899, Page 12, Image 12

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

Image provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA

                
12
PLANS FOR FLOOD-WATER STORAGE
Good Day's Work
Put in at the
Convention.
THE first day's work of the water
storage convention has been com
pieted. Judging last night from
8 the expressions on night from
the expressions on all sides
everybody is more than satisfied
■with the progress made in the
direction of speedy results, and delegates
•will be prepared this morning when they
meet again in Metropolitan Temple to
get into the middle of things and marshal
a good working plan out of the many of
fered.
Four hundred and eighty-one delegates
answered "present" yesterday morning in
the maple hall of the Palace Hotel when
the roll was called. This unlocked for
response to the invitations of the provis
ional committee had the Immediate effect
of putting everybody in good humor. The
hearty welcome of the Mayor made tne
out-of-town delegates feel at home and
In the mood to return the compliment to
San Francisco, which they did handsome
ly by the nomination and election of F.
\V. bohrmitnn. president of the Mer
chants' Association; as temporary chair
man, which choice later in the day was
made permanent. Mr. brmann's fltness
for the office becoming apparent during
the short hour of the morning session.
During th« afternoon? when the conven
tion moved to Metropolitan Hall, and
after the order of business had ■en de
termined and permanent organization had
been effected, th< real test of the temper
of the convention was had. It was known
that, as far as such a condition could
exist without previous caucusing, the del
egates were massed on two sides, those
favoring State aid for water storage, and
those opposed. When the resolutions be
gan to pour in for reading and discussion,
beforo reference to the committee on res
olutions, there was an evident feeling of
uneasiness among the delegates, as if
they expected something to drop. Never
were delegates more agreeably surprised.
Plans were offered, it is true, diametric
ally opposed to each other, and their ad
vocates were equally eloquent, but all
through the long afternoon there was
manifested a spirit of earnestness and
fairness and a willingness to reach com
mon ground that left no room for bitter
ness. There was none, and if the actions
and expressions of the delegates after
adjournment can be taken lor anything
there will be none.
Xo plan seems to be more favored at the
present time than any other, but no fears
are voiced that it will be impossible to
reach one. In fact, the signs are plain
that a practicable method will be out
lined for future successful crusading tor
the speedy storage of the waste waters of
the State. These signs have been thrown
out by delegates, who express a willing
ness, "lHce Pillsbury of Tulare, to take
everything and anything In sight, so long
as it leads in the direction of ultimate
success. They are not committed to State
bonds, nor are they pledged to exclusive
Federal aid. They will take both, and
impound the waters of the State as quick
ly as possible.
And it is tho influence of these men in
the convention, with the earnestness and
evident fairness of the out-and-outers of
the other factions, that will tend to make
smooth the work of the convention.
The ceremonial attending the opening of
the convention was delightfully informal.
The assembled delegates were still in the
buzz of early congratulations over the
large attendance, when a loud rapping
from the platform attracted their atten
tion to the ilgure of Mayor James D.
Phelan.
"I have been requested," he said, "to
call this convention to order."
His words were greeted with applause
that testified that the popularity of San
Francisco's executive head extended far
ther than the confines of the city. He
rapped some more and the delegates hav
ing seated themselves, he extended a
greeting on behalf of the city. He said:
I desire to extend the welcome of
San Francisco to those gentlemen
from ail parts of tho State who have
come here to unite — I hope to unite
in some great measure for the bene
fit of California. , There certainly
should be a common sentiment among
all the members of this convention, so
far at any rate as the benefits that will
accrue from the storage of flood wat
ers are concerned. But as to the best
means of reaching that desirable end
there may be a reasonable difference
of opinion.
I am not very familiar with the dis
cussion which has preceded this con
vention but I am informed that al
ready there are two parties — one con
tending that it is the duty of the State
to provide for the storage of the flood
waters, and the other that it is the
duty of the Federal Government. Now
there can be no doubt whatever In the
mind of any one that if the Federal
Government would undertake this
■work it would relieve California of a
great outlay; but, on the other hand,
so desirable is tho storage of flood
waters that if there is any possibility
of losing this opportunity we should
not wait upon the Federal Govern
ment.
So important, In my judgment, is the
storage of the storm waters of Cali
fornia that we must m?ke any sacri
fice of our personal views to bring
about harmony of action, i think the
two years of drought we have had have
taught •<:- the lesson that, no matter
what may be the outlay for this pur
pose within reasonable bounds, it
would well repay the State.
A great city like San Francisco is
complimented by gentlemen coming
from all parts of the State to meet
here. A great city is the spokesman
for a great country. We have here a
metropolitan press "to voice your senti
ments. We have here the men willing
to come to your aid. These are the
natural advantages which come from
metropolitan activity we are willing
to lay at your feet. Without a pros
perous California in mines and fields,
San Francisco would have no large
place on the map. We have plenty of
water here at our doors for shipping,
but we must have something to ship.
I trust your deliberations will bring
about a solution of the great and im
portant question and the welfare of
our commonwealth. '
"I am now ready," said the Mayor, "to
hear nominations for temporary chair
man."
T. E. Gibbons of 1..0S Angeles nom
inated F. W. Dohrmann in behalf of
Southern California-
Arthur R. Briggs, In behalf of the cen
tral part of the State, seconded the nom
ination, and Mr. Dohrmann was made the
unanimous choice of the convention. On
taking the chair he said:
When the ancients had entered upon
a war they generally proceeded before
a battle to offer up a sacrifice that
they might propitiate the gods: and
when peace had been accomplished
they again offered sacrifice to thank
the gods for victory, i presume you
know what I mean without much fur
ther explanation. There seemed to be
war in the air and San Francisco
wished to win. Looking around for a
victim to be sacrificed, they selected
me, not for any of those qualities
which were usually requisjte for sac
rifices in the ancient times when they
selected young people of virtue and
many other good qualities. They se-'
jected me because I was a negative
quantity in all those matters, and I
have to begin by stating to you what
I stated to them, that, while I am
willing to be sacrificed, my qualities
fall short of those which are neces
sary to preside over this convention
as It should be done.
I begin, therefore, by appealing to
your sympathy and ; sking you, while
you may assist in the sacrifice, that
• you will not put me In the hole on
parliamentary questions and crucify
• "'Gentlemen, you will please excuse
•his explanation. It is like that of
the boy who goes by a graveyard and
whistles that he may have courage. I
realize we have serious work to do. I
realize that I am facing serious men
who have come here and Intend to do
it I hope that the gods are appeased
and harmony will prevail so far as the
ultimate object of our gathering is
concerned I hope and expect that a
tree .fair and full discussion will be
had upon all subjects which are mci
SnTS Mb a%™ # ■£•
£S?» .rmy^n^t^r give 9 &j
WILL S. GREEN ADDRESSING THE CONVENTION.
complish what Is within its power if
it lays the foundations d<
and br ■.'. to make our State
tha moot prosperous und l><.st of all the
States of the Union.
This nvention In ex
cellent burnt r, which wa ssened
when William Thomas, presid
California Stat< Association for thi S
age of Flood Waters, arose to norn
Ben M. Maddox of Visalia, the hero of a
hundred Democratic conventions, as tcm
porar;. .. Lsidor Jacobs
the n< ! \ was chosen.
Frank J. Bynames moved a recess until 2
o'clock to Metropolitan HaU.
George H. Maxwell said ,hat this was
the most Important ention that had
been held in California for a quarter of a
century, and there would not be a;:
to equal it in Importance in the next
quarter century- would It not be well,
he said, for all who had plans to submit
•ing them before the convention in
writing and make such remark- as th<
planmak^r wished?
Mr. Works of Los Angeles agreed with
the suggestion of Mr. Maxwell.
Delegate Devlin of Sacramento called
for information. He wanted to know how
far and in what direction the (.invention
wished to go. He moved that the chair
call for addresses from delegates who
had given the matter of flood water stor
age their attention and study before the
convention should proceed to take any
definite action.
Chairman Dohrmann said tho conven
tion ought first to organize. He did not
wish to make b ■ -lven
tlon, but if the discussion of sub •
should begin at once it would be i
absence of any organization. The first
duty of tho convention was to organize.
He did not think that the plan of ap
pointment from Congressional districts
of the committee on permanent organiza
tion and order of business was the best.
Mr. Gibbons of Los Angeles moved that
the committee on permanent organiza
tion and order of business should consist
of nine members, to be appointed by the
chair. This motion prevailed, and
chair named the following to constitute
the committee: Hon. C. B. I
Angeles; E. C. Farnswnrth, Visalia; \
R. Brigcs. Fresno; P. R. Garnett. Glenn-
R. E. Wilhoit. Stockton; R. M. Shackle
ford, San Luis Oblspo; A. B. Lemmon,
Sonoma; C. C. Bush, Shasta; Hugh Craig,
San Francisco.
Delegate Adams of Santa Cruz moved
the appointment by the temporary chair
man of a committee of fifteen on resolu
tions. This was adopted.
The chair requested that any delegate
who had a suggestion to offer conreri,:: p
the personnel of the committee on r<
tions should hand in names. He would
not name the committee, he said, until
he had been made fully acquainted with
the wishes of the convention.
Upon motion of Will S. Green, an invi
tation was given to Elwood Mead to ad
dress the. convention. Mr. Mead spoke
briefly, not going into the questions to
come before the convention, but assuring
th* delegates that he believed whatever
they planned would be good.
The committee on arrangements report
ed that the only place that could I
cured for the afternon session was Met
ropolitan Hall. A larger room than the
MULTI-COLORED METEORS BOMBARD US.
ASTRONOMTSRS are in high
glee. They are taking a great
deal of pleasure out of the
bombardment of this mundane
sphere by a lot of vagrant
meteors that have acquired the habit
of crossing our path at stated Inter
vals. Men who study the skies for
pleasure as well as those who gaze
throug-h telescopes as a profession
have been talking about this celestial
display and calculating upon the date
THE SAN FRANCISCO CAI/L. WEDNESDAY, Is T OYEMBER 15. 1899.
maple hall was ba-rily needed, for many
of t! had to stand during the
proceedings of the forenoon.
At the afternoon session in Metropolitan
Temple permanent organization was ef
i by the adoption of the report of
the committee vii permanent organization
rdei of b isiness, which recommend
■ g officers: President, F.
W. Dohrmann of San Francisco; vice
presidents— C. C. Bush of Redding, P. A.
Buell of Stockton. Vincent C. (Seek of
inty, Frank J. Symmes of Ban
Professor E. E. Smith of the
nivi rsity. Judge J. D. Works
of I 3, Senator S. C. Smith of
Baker sfleld; secretary, Hen M. Maddox of
Visalia; assistant secretaries, T. C. Frled
. Charles E. Richards; press ■
Raleigh Barcar; reading clerk, J.
Richard i- ": ■
Committee on rul<-p and order of busl
.'\ W Dohrmann, chairman of the
convention: William Thomas, chatrman of
the committee on resolutions: C. B.
Boothe, chairman of the committee on
;■< rmanent i irganization.
The committee on resolutions, after the
adaption of a motion to enlarge it. was
; by Chairman Dohrmann as
-: William Thomas, c. E. tirunsky,
!'•( •> ssor George Davidson, John P. Irish,
T. E. Gibbon, George H. Maxwell, C. W.
Merritt. Bcipio Craig, J. H. Barbour, E.
H. Tucker. A. J. Pillsbury. P. A. Buell.
E. T. Cosper. M. Then Kearney, W B.
Green, L. M. Holt, Professor E. J. Wlck-
Bon, Professor Emory Smith, W. E.
Smythe, J. M. G [eaves, Senator E. C.
Voorheis.
An announcement by the chair that res
were In order brought Edward
F. Adams of Santa Cruz to his feet. He
pri Bented a resolution that it was the
Bense of the convention that it favors the
lishment of a permanent society,
whose membership shall come from all
parts of the State, which shall include
übordlnates or by amalgamation
all existing societies, and which shall be
indorse.! by citizens and public 1.
It contemplates the leasing of public
grazing lands by the General Govern
ment, the revenue thus derived to be used
fl r reclamation of arid lands, the rentals
to be expended by State engineering bod
ies; the Federal Government to aid In the
storage of flood waters by yearly appro-
Eriatlons in the river and harbor bill; the
tate to assume such control O f the pub
lic lands as may be delegated to it by the
Federal Government and expend the rev
enues under the direction of a State en
gineer to be provided Ipv law. supplement
ing the moneys received from the Federal
Government by such moneys as shall be
provided.
Robert P. Troy offered the following:
Resolved. That the interests of irri
gation can best be subserved by tho
early extensive construction of "water
Btorage reservoirs, and any project
looking to that end, whether promoted
by national. State or individual aid or
combination of these elements, should
be encouraged and fostered by the
people.
Former Surveyor General Will S. Oreon
the "father of irrigation in California,"'
then offered a resolution embodying tho
following provisions, with others supple
mental for their execution:
of the great show for many months.
They are overjoyed at the numerous
Indications that everything is coming
off according to the programme.
For several nights there has been
an exhibition of astronomical pyro
technics, but It has given but the
faintest hint of what is to come. To
night is the time set for us to pass
through the stream of flying fire.
From midnight until dawn to-morrow
morning is when the genuine blue,
green, yellow and red Leonids are to
appear. The rounder and the belated
Resolved. That there shall be created
a State board of irrigation, composed
of three members, one of whom must
be a civil engineer of experience in
irrigation works, who shall receive a
llxed annual .salary; the others to re
ceive a per diem compensation, with
a fixed maximum; and said board shall
exercise powers and perform duties as
follows: i a) It shall examine the ir
rigable lands adjacent to all streams
in the State where irrigation is
practiced or will probably in the
near future be practiced, and
shall determine what lauds may
be irrigated from a stream and
what lands are e.ntitled to the use
of the waters of such stream, and
shall make a description of the district
thus laid out. to be called the "water
district of " (naming the stream),
and shaJl file a description by metes
and bounds, together with a "map of
the district, in the Recorder's office in
each county in which there may be
any of the lands; (D) shall make sur
veys along ill.- watersheds of these
several Btreams and shall locate, where
practicable, reservoir sites, and shall
til.- a description and a map of each
site, together with an estimate of the
cost of building the reservoir, with the
County Recorder of the county in
which the site may be situated, and
in each of the counties in which any
p.rtion ol' the district may be situated;
hi shall, if the site is Government
land, request the authorities to with
draw ■);<■ .-.line from settlement and
sale; if on private lands, a notice shall
be appended to the map and the .in
scription so Bled that It is subject to be
taken for a public use, and that no
added value or damage will be con
sidered in condemnatory proceedings;
(d) shall have power to enforce the
equitable distribution of water be
tween users in any district and to
prevent the extravagant use or the
waste of water; (c) shall hear and act
upon petitions for the formation of
irrigation districts; (ft shall hear and
act upon petitions for the issuance of
bonds with which to construct irriga
tl . - ■' s; (g) shall either make or
approvi all plans for all irrigation
works > t>e constructed by any public
or quasi-public corporation; <h> shall
h;i.\< power to employ assistance and
incur other expenses necessary to per
form the work required by law. sub
ject to allowance by the State Hoard
of Examiners; <l) shall perform such
other duties as may bo prescribed by
law.
Mr. Groon took tho platform In advi.
pedestrian saw things in the skies last
night that sent shivers down their
spines, but it is the multi-colored
meteors that are scheduled to show up
to-night that will make a lull In the
saloon business. Blue cows and green
elephants could not pretend to do half
as much missionary work among the
frequenters of the cocktail route as
a display of colored meteors during
the small hours of the morning.
Some of these chunks of blazing
stars are said to be as large as houses,
while others will be of no more im
Earnestness and
Fairness Mark
Proceedings.
cacy of his resolution, and, giving the
history of Irrigation conventions In the
State, said that his resolution was the
substance of a bill authorized in the Riv
erside and Fresno irrigation conventions,
which had been defeated In the Senate
by the Ut-e of money.
"There is no law in the State now," he
exclaimed, "but the shotgun for the ap
propriation of water out of a stream. In
the evolution of the law on waters in
California we have got as far as the shot
gun. Now we must gtt to some other
method."
Mr. Cosper called for an explanation of
the plan submitted by Adams of Santa
Cruz, and that gentleman went on at con
siderable length to elaborate his idea*. As
a matter of mere self-interest the more
humid parts of the State could afford to
help to irrigate the more arid regions. The
Slate, he said, would never have its high
est development and greatest prosperity
until the arid lands were irrigated ami
provision was made to store waters for
use in dry seasons.
H. Weinstock of Sacramento introduced
a resolution that it was the sense of the
convention that every effort should be
made to secure both Federal and State
aid In dealing with the flood waters of
the State.
Delegate A. J. Plllsbsry. in presenting a
decidedly important resolution, said he
was in favor of everything in sight, but
while he was in favor of national aid and
State conservation he impressed upon the
delegates that they could not afford to
lose courage to push forward individual
and private enterprise, as has been done
heretofore. His resolution was as fol
lows:
Whereas, The distribution of the un
impounded waters of the streams of
California has heretofore been attend
ed by extensive litigation from con
flicting claims so that some localities
have expended more money in litiga
tion than in the construction of needed
irrigation works; and whereas, the
Immediate expansion of the irrigated
area in California can best be achieved
by securing a more e^rtain knowledge
or' existing water rights and the more
equitable, distribution of the free flow
of the streams In < xcess of such ex
isting rights, and pending the formu
lation of a system or systems of water
conservation,
Resolved, That this convention de
clares in favor of such legislation as
will require all persons and corpora
tions using for irrigation any part of
the water of any stream in California
to within a reasonable time and before
a tribunal provided by law for hearing
and determining such controversies
make proof of their claims to use such
water, to the end that all rights to
water may be made matter of definite
record, alter which a statute of lim
itations shall preclude the possibility
of again putting such rights Into
jeopardy and the residuary waters
may tie made available for the further
expansion of the irrigated area under
such conditions as the law may im
pose.
R. T. Devlin of Sacramento introduced a
resolution requesting the Governor of the
State to take steps to keep in proper re
pair the State easement at Elkhorn and
the jetties at Newtown shoals. He also
spoke on it. ■ general question.
P. A. Buell of Stockton submitted a res
olution that California should take the
initiative in the storage of the Hood wa
ters and the convention should act ac
cordingly.
George H. Maxwell, one of Sonoma's
delegates, a representative also of the
National Irrigation Congress, and recog
nized as the head and front of opposition
to the proposition to issue bonds for im
pounding the flood waters of the State,
then mounted the platform. The conven
tion listened eagerly to his remarks. He
said :
As I understood the call under which
this convention has com« together, it
Is to formulate a plan for two. things:
First, for the storage of the flood wa
ters of California; second, for the dis
tribution of these flood waters. For
my own part, beiore I read the resolu
tions I have to offer, I want to say I
• most heartily indorse what has been
said by Mr. Adams and Mr. Pillsbury
with reference to this movement. I
believe that tne great State of Califor
nia, with the co-operation of tne Fed
eral Government, within well-estab
lished constitutional lines, can solve
every question that is before the peo
ple to-day which comes within the
purpose and object of the call of this
convention, but I believe that you can
not solve it and that you never will
solve it until the people of this great
State come together and harmonize
and absolutely unite as one man upon
whatever policy we undertake to carry
out. Now, that being so. it seems to
me that it. would be a grievous mis
take for this convention to undertake
to force through this body any reso
lution, any policy, anything which is
contrary to the firm and strong con
victions of a large minority of the con
vention. In other words, if there are
things we can agree upon, let us de
clare for them; if there are things we
do not agree upon, let us wait and see
if we cannot get together before we air
our quarrels.
The plan I propose to present to you
now is the plan of the National Irri
gation Congress for solving the prob
lem that confronts you. and one that
will solve this problem within a time
shorter than any one would deem pos
sible. The shibboleth we have gone
under is "irrigation without debt,"
portance than the proverbial thirty
coppers. There is a possibility that
one of these may strike mother earth,
but the astronomers say that we are
in no great danger of her being all
broke up over the contact. San Fran
ciscans who Intend to take in the show
should keep their eyes fixed on the
skios In the direction of Oakland and
Alameda. Most of the peculiar things
that happen originate over that way.
The electric lights there are turned off
early and there will be no danger of
mistaking them for the real thing.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
NEW DRESS
FABRICS.
FOUR SPECIAL VALUES.
$1.00 Yard.
50 pieces GENUINE FRENCH
POPLINS, full 44 Inches
wide, in the following new
shades; National Blue,
Golden Brown, Bordeaux,
Mordore, Navy, Castor
Brown, Automobile Red,
Heron Grau, Leaf Green
and Russian Violet,
$1.25 Yard.
25 pieces 50-INCH GENU-
INE ALL-WOOL HOME-
SPUNS, in all the new
shades of Grau, Castor,
Blue and Brown, all mixed
effects,
$1.25 Yard.
One case STEWARTON
CHEVIOT PLAIDS, Scotch
effects, a full variety of
new combinations, goods
measure full 47 inches
wide,
$1.50 Yard.
30 pieces 47-INCH GENU-
INE FRENCH ZIBELINE,
camel's hair effects, the
new material in solid
colors, for fall and winter
wear,
111, 113, 115, 117. 119. 121 POST STREET.
and I want to say to you now. as the
result of nearly ten years of study of
the laws and physical conditions oC
California, that we ran store every
drop of flood v ater In the Btate as fast
as we can use It by individual and
corporate enterprise by the interposi
tion of the State law on proper lines
and limits, and through the aid of tin.
Federal Government, without issuing
one dollar in State bonds.
Mr Maxwell then introduced his resolu
tions printed copies thereof having been
previously distributed to the delegates
and went on to say that the Congressional
record would show that appropriations
would follow fast on the heels of surveys.
Mr Davis of Tulare offered a resolution
of the Tulare Grange and M. Theo Kear
ney and Judge J. D. Works spoke briefly
to 'the resolutions in hand.
Just before the adjournment George a
Maxwell spoke briefly upon the harmony
in the convention. "There appears to r>e
no difference among us." he said, as to
the end we have In view; only concerning
the means to that end. We are getting
nearer together."
Last evening Elwood Mead. Professor
Ldppincott and George Newberry of this
city entertained the delegates at Metro
politan Hall. Mr. Dohrmann presided.
While all the speakers furnished valuable
information, the feature of the evening
consisted of Illustrations, with lantern
slides, by Professor Lipplncott. of the
work of the United States Geological Sur
v.v in the arid States and in California,
having in view the development of water
for irrigation. The audience was large
and enthusiastic. -'i^.
The convention meets at 10 o clock this
morning at Metropolitan Hall.
SAW NO METEORS IN
THE EASTERN STATES
CHICAGO, Nov. 15.— Chicago and the
Mississippi Valley went to bed this morn
ing without catching a glimpse of the
star-shower of Leonids for which they
have waited a third of a century. From
Davenport east to New York, according to
the dispatches received by the Weather
Bureau, the sky was overcast to a degree
which blotted out all the stars and made
satisfactory observation of the meteoric
shower an impossibility.
Outing Club's Trolley Party.
The San Francisco Outing Club will
give a complimentary trolley ride for the
benefit of the members and friends on
next Saturday evening. November 18.
The committee has secured the large ac
commodation car of the Market-street
Railway system, and arrangements have
been made to leave Market and Second
streets at Sls o'clock sharp on the night
of the ride.
Grand display of latest holiday novel
ties, leather, decore, linen embroidery,
Battenberg. November 15, 16, 17. Emma
Mason's. 9*5 Valencia St. •
FORTUNES
JN OIL!
CONTINENTAL OIL AND
DEVELOPMENT CO.
(Incorpoated.)
ONLY 6000 SHARES,
of which 1000 were put on the
market and over half sold the first
ten days.
This Is a genuine opportunity for
an oil investment. The Company
owns by United States patent
five twenty-acre tracts In the
"OIL BASIN,"
Kings County, the richest oil bear-
Ings In the entire belt.
We have made arrangements for
the latest Improved machinery and
will shortly be boring for oil, at
which time stock cannot be had at
any price.
NO ASSESSMENTS.
A. E. RUDELL. See..
222 Sansome street.
WILLIAM CORBIN. Pres.
Catarrh, Deafness^
Diseases Positively Cured by
DR. COTTINGHAM'S
632 Market St., opp. Palace Hotel.
Marble stair entrance.
Hours— i-U a. in.; 1-3 and 7-8 p. m.
Cut this out. present at once; good for on«
week FREE TREATMENT and medicine at
office, or write for particulars Do not delay.
Cameo Novelties
Bargains.
It's Wortli Yoof
Coming Just to See.
Great American lioortiDt Tea Co.
Stores Everywhere.
xoo Stores,