The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-12-06
THE BILLINGS GAZETTE.

by scrupulous avoidance of anything
like wasteful or reckless expenditure
Only by avoidance of spending money
what is needless or unjustifiable
can we legitamately keep our income
to the point required to meet u
needs that are genuine.
Interstate Commerce.
In 1887 a was enacted for
The regulation of interstate railways,
commonly known as the interstate
commerce act. The cardinal provi-
sions of that act were Ii 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 was supposed
to be the necessary powers to execute
the provisions Of this act.
That law was largely an experiment.
Experience has shown the wisdom OF
it's purposes, but has also shown pos
sibly that some of it's requirements
are wrong, certainly that the means de-
vised for the enforcement Of it's pro-
visions are defective. Those who COM
plain of the management OF the rail-
roads allege that established rates
are not maintained; that rebates and
S1llllldI uOVlCCSy dI0 udUlIully ICSOl leu
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
affecting both localities and commod-
tiles. Upon the other hand, the rail
ways assert that the law by It's very
terms tends to produce many of these
illegal practices by d%epriving carriers
of that right Of concerted action which
they claim is necessary to establish
n maintain Notwithstanding
rates.
The act should be amended. The
railway is a public servant. It's rates
should be just to and open to all
| shippers alike. The government
should see to it that within it's juris-
diction this is so and should provide
a speedy, inexpensive and effective
remedy to that end. AT the same
time, it must not be forgotten that
our railways are the arteries through
which the commercial life blood of this
nation flows. Nothing could be more
foolish than the enactment of legisla-
ton which would interfere with the
operation Of these commercial
agencies. The subject is one of great
Importance and calls for the earnest
attention of the congress.
Agriculture.
The department of agriculture dur
ing the past Is years has steadily
b~roadened 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 country and with two
of the lsland groups that have lately
come under our jurisdiction, whose
people must look to agriculture for a
livelihood. By scientific attention to
soil survey and possible new crops, to
breeding of the varieties of plants; to
experimental shipments, to animal in
dustry anu applied chemistry, a very
practical aid has been given u farm
ing and stock growing interests. The
products of the farm have taken an
Unprecedented place in u export
trade during the year that has just
been closed.
Arid Lands and Forests.
Public opinion throughout the Unit
ed States has moved steadily toward
a just appreciation of the value OF
forests, whether planted or of natura.
growth. The great part played by
them in the creation and maintenance
of the national wealth is now more full
ly realized than eyed before.
Wise forest protection does not
mean the withdrawal of forest re
sources, whether of wood, water OF
grass, from contributing their full
share to the welfare of the people
but, on the contrary, gives the assur
ance of larger and more certain sup
plies. The ornamental idea Of forestry
is the perpetuation of forests by use
Forest protection is not an end of it
self; it is a lei to increase and sus
tain the resources of our country ant
the industries which depend upol
them. The preservation Of u for
ests is an imperative business neces
sity. We have come to see clearl!
that whatever destroys the forest, ex
cept to make way for agriculture
threatens our w%ell-being,.
The practical usefulness of the ma
tional forest reserves to the mining
grazing, irrigation, and other interest
J of the regions in which the reserve
t lie has led to a widespread demand
by the people of the west for thel
lection IN extension. Inc torres
reserves will inevitably be of still
t greater use in the future than in tn
5 past. Additions should be made t
them whenever practicable, and thel
(. usefulness should be increased by
thoroughly business-like management
: At present the perfection of tn
, forest reserves rests with the genera
land Office, the mapping and descriI
ton of their timber with the Unite
States geological survey, and the pref
Z aration of plans for their conservativ
l use with Tie bureau of forestry, whic.
is also charged with the general &C
vancement of practical forestry i
: the United States. These variou
functions should be united in the bl
reau of forestry, to which they proper
: ly belong. The present diffusion c
responsibility is bad from every stand
point. 1t prevents that effective CT
oporotion batwaan the government