The White Pine News

DELEGATES TO THE
IRRIGATION CONGRESS

Special efforts are being put forward by the executive officers of the National Irrigation congress to secure a thorough representation in the coming session of that body in Sacramento of the reclamation and forestry work and interests of the United States insular possessions in both continents. The Philippine Islands are certain to be ably represented in this respect and it is expected that both Hawaii and Porto Rico will be heard from in the same direction within a few days.

In a letter received by Secretary Beard on Friday from George P. Ahern of Manila, director of forestry in the Philippines, that gentleman writes enthusiastically of the congress and expresses the hope that he may be able to so arrange his affairs as to be present in person at the coming session of that body in Sacramento next September.

Mr. Ahern was a delegate from Montana to the irrigation congress 10 years ago and fathered a resolution then passed, recommending to the president of the United States that all public forests in the United States be set aside as forest reserves. This was practically the initiation of that movement by the irrigation congress.

Mr. Ahern has been for some years in the Philippines and has made an extended study of forestry conditions and problems and kindred matters in the archipelago. On this particular subject he is probably the best informed official in the natural forestry service. He manifests the keenest interest in the aims and work of the irrigation congress, and is in a position to contribute views and facts of peculiar interest in the general discussion of forestry and related questions.

The presence of Mr. Ahern, among other representatives of distant lands in the national irrigation congress, serves to accentuate the exceptionally broad scope and truly international character which the coming session of that body in Sacramento has taken on.