Arizona republican., 1901-12-04


 within the limit of our actual needs. In his report to the congress the sec retary of the treasury considers all these questions at length, and l ask your attention to the report and rec concentrations.
 I call special attention to the need of strict economy in expenditures. The fact that our national needs forbid us to be niggardly in providing whatever is actually necessary to our well-being. should make us doubly careful to hus- band our national resources, as each of us husbands his private resources, by scrupulous avoidance of anything like wasteful or reckless expenditure. Only by avoidance of spending money on what is needless or uniustifiable can we legitimately keep our income to the point required to meet our needs that are genuine.
 In 1887 measure was enacted for the regulation of interstate railways, conl- monly known as the interstate com merce act. The cardinal provisions of that act were that railway rates should be just and reasonable and that all shippers, localities. and commodities should be accorded equal treatment. A commission was created and endowed with what were supposed to be the necessary powers to execute the pro- visions of this act.
 That law was largely an experiment.. Experience has shown the wisdom of its purpose, but has also shown, possibly that some of it's requirements are wrong. certainly that the means de- Vised for the enforcement of its pro- visions are defective. Those who com plain of the management of the rail- ways allege that established rates are not maintained; that rebates and si1ni- lar devices are habitually resorted to; that these preferences are usually in favor of the large shipper; that they drive out of business the smaller com petitor; that while many rates are too low, many others are excessive; and, that gross preferences are made, af- fecting both localities and commodi- ties. Upon the other hand. the railways assert that the law by its very terms tends to produce many oi these illegal practices by depriving carriers of that right of concerted action which they claim is necessary to establish and maintain non-discriminating rates.
 The act should be amended The railway is a public servant. Its rates should be just to and open to all ship pers alike. The government should sec to 1t that within its jurisdiction this is so and should provide a speedy. in- expensive. and effective remedy to that end At the same time it must not be forgotten that our railways are the ar teries through which the commercial lifeblood of this nation flows. Nothing could be more foolish than the enact ment of legislation which would un- necessarily interfere with the develop ment and operation of these commer- cial agencies. The subject is one of | great importance and calls for the ear hest attention of the congress.
 AGRICULTURE.
 The department of agriculture during | the past fifteen years has steadily | broadened it's work on economic lines, | and has accomplished results of real | value in upbuilding domestic and for eign trade. It has gone into new fields | until it Is now in touch with all sections of our country and with two of the is land groups that have lately come un- der our jurisdiction, whose people must look 70 agriculture as a livelihood. It Is searching the world for grains, grasses. fruits, and vegetables specially fitted for introduction into localities in the several states and territories where they may add materially 70 our re- sources. By scientific attention to soil survey and possible new crops, to breeding of new varieties of plants, to chemistry. very practical lid has been given our farming and ;tock-raising interests. The products 1f the farm have taken an unprece- tented place in our export trade during he year that has just closed
 Public opinion throughout the United States has moved steadily toward a lust appreciation of the vafue of for ,sts, whether planted or of natural growth. The great party played by hem in the creation and maintenance ,f the national wealth is now more ully realized than ever before.
 Wise forest protection does not mean he withdrawal of forest resources. whether of wood. water. or grass, from their full share to the well are of the people, but, on the contrary, gives the assurance of larger and more certain supplies. The fundamental idea If forestry is the approximation of for sts by use. Forest protection is not m end of itself; it is a means to in- rease and sustain the resorceS of our and the industries which de- ,end upon them. The preservation of ur forests is an imperative business necessity. We have come to see clearly hat whatever destroys the forest. ex- ept to make way for agriculture. hreatens our well-being.
 The practical usefulness of the na- ional forest reserve to the mining. raging. irrigation, and other interests f the regions in which the reserves ie has led to widespread demand by he people of the west for their pro- ection and extension. The forest re- erves will inevita bly, be of still greater se in the future than in the past. Ad- itions should be made to them when ven practicable. and their usefulness hould be increased by a thoroughly .. management.
 At present the protection of the for :su reserves rests with the general land flee, the mapping and description of heir timber with the United States ! survey. and the preparation | | the plans for their conservative use -ith the bureau of forestry. which is | lso charged with the general advance lent of practical forestry in the United tates. These various functions should