The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-12-05

ions are deIectlVe.
The act should be amended. The rail-
way is public servant. Its rates should
be just to and open to all shippers
alike. The government should see to 1t
that within its jurisdiction this Is SO
and should provide speedy, inexpens-
I've, and effective remedy to that end.
The department Of agriculture dur
ing the past Is years has steadily broad
ened its work on economic lines, and
has accomplished results of real value
in upbuilding domestic and foreign
trade.
Wise forest protection does not mean
the withdrawal of forest resources,
whether of wood, water, or grass. from
contributing their full share to the well
fare Of the people. hut, on the con-
trary, gives the assurance of larger and
more certain supplies. The funda-
mental idea Of forestry Is the perpetu-
alton Of forests by use. Forest prOtec-
ton is not an end of itself; it is a
means to increase and sustain the re.
sources of our country and the indus
tries which depend upon them. The
preservation of our forests is an i'm
perative business necessity. We have
come to see clearly that whatever de-
strOys the forest. except to make way
70 agriculture, threatens our well-be-
ing.
At present the protection Of the for.
est reserves rests with the general land
office, the mapping and description of
their timber with the United States geo.
logical survey, and the preparation of
plans for their conservative use with
the bureau Of forestry, which Is also
charged with the general advancement
Of practical forestry in the United
States. These various functions should
be united In the bureau Of forestry, to
which they properly belong.
1T Is as right for the national gov.
eminent to make the streams and
rivers of the arid region useful by en-
cheering works for water storage as
TO make useful the rivers and harborS
Of the humid region by engineering
works of another kind. The storing of
the floods in reservoirs at the head.
waters of our rivers Is but an enlarge.
ment of our present policy Of river con.
troll, under which levees are built ON
the lower reaches Of the same streams.
The government should construct
and maintain these reservoirs as 1t
does other public works. Where their
purpose Is to regulate the flow of
streams. the water should be turned
freely into the channels in the dry sea.
son to take the same course under the
same laws as the natural flow.
Arid Lands.
The reclamation of the unsettled
arid public lands presents a different
problem. Here 1t Is not enough to reg
ulate the flow of streams. The object
OF the government Is to dispose Of the
land to settlers who will build homes
upon 1t. To accomplish this object
water must be brought within their
reach.
The reclamation and settlement of
the arid lands will enrich every por-
ton OF our country. just as the settle
ment OF the Ohio and Mississippi val
leys brought prosperity to the Atlantic
states.
Whatever the nation does for Che ex-
tension of irrigation should harmonic
with, and tend to improve, the condi-
ton of those now living on irrigated
land.
Our aim should be not simply to re-
claim the largest area Of land and pro.
vide homes for the largest number of
people, but to create for thie new In
dustry the best possible social and in.
dustrial conditions; and this requires
that we not only understand the exist
Ing situation, but avail ourselves of the
best experience Of the time In the 20.
luton OF Its problems. A careful study
should be made. both by the nation and
the states. Of the irrigation Laws and
conditions here and abroad. Ultimate
ly 1t will probably be necessary for the
nation to cooperate with the several
arid states In proportion - these stAtea
by their legislation and administration
show themselves At to receive It.
In Hawaii our aim must be TO de.
velop the territory ON the traditional
American lines. We do not wish q
region Of large estates titled by cheap
labor; We wish . healthy American
community Of men VINO themselves till
the farms they own.
1t 10 q pleasure to ray that It 10 hard.
~ more necessary to report - TO Porto
Rico than a. to any state or territory
within our continental limits. The
island 10 thriving 90 never before, and
It 10 being administered efficiently and
honestly. ask the attention Of the
congress- to the need Of legislation con-
corning the public lands Of Porto Rico.
In Cuba such progress has been
made toward putting the independent
government Of the island upon q arm
footing that before the present session
OF the congress closes this will b IN
accomplished tact.
In the Philippines our problem 10