Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-12-05

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regulation OF interstate railways. COM
monty known ms the interstate commerce
act The cardinal provisions Of that act
were that railway rates should be just
and reasonable and that all shippers. To-
callties and commodities should be ac-
corded equal treatment A commission
was created and endowed with what were
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 its
purposes, but has also shown possibly
that some of Its requirements are wrong.
certainly that the means devised for the
enforcement Of its provisions are defec-
tive Those who complain of the manager
ment OF the railways allege that estab-
lished rates are not maintained. that re-
bates and similar devices are habltually
resorted to, that these preferences are
usually In favor Of the large shipper. that
they drive out Of business the smaller
competitor, that while many rates are too
low many others are excessive and that
gross preferences are made affecting both
localities and commodities. Upon the 9TH
er hand. the railways assert that the law
by its very terms tends 10 produce many
OF these Illegal practices by depriving car
riers of that right of concerted action
which they claim Is necessary TO estnb-
iish and maintain nondiscrimlnatlng rates.
The act should be amended. The rail-
way is " PUBIC SERVANT us rates should
be Just to and open to all shippers alike.
The government should see 10 IL that
within its jurisdiction this Is so and
should provide a speedy. Inexpensive and
effective remedy to that end. At the same
time II must not be forgotten that our
railways are the arteries through which
the commercial lifeblooG Of this nation
flows Nothing could be more foolish than
the enactment of legislation which would
unnecessarily interfere with the Develop
ment and operation OF these commercial
agencies The subject is one of great i'm
portance and calls for the earnest atten-
tion of the congress.
Agriculture.
The departments OF agriculture durins
the past fifteen years has steadily broad.
ened its work on economic lines nnd
has accomplished results of real value In
uphuid!nS domestic and foreign trade.
1t has gone into new fields until II is now
in touch with all sections OF our country
and with two Of the island groups that
have lately come under our jurisdiction,
whose people must look to agriculture as
livelihood. II is searching the world for
grains grasses. fruits and vegetables spe-
cially fitted for introduction into locali-
ties In the several states and territories
where they may add materially 10 our re-
sources. BY scientific attention to soil sur
vey and possible new crops, to breeding Of
new varieties of plants to experimental
chemistry, very practical aid has been
given our farming and stock growing in
terests. The products of the farm have
taken an unprecedented place In our ex-
port trade during the year that has Just
closed.
Protection OF Forest Reseryes.
Public opinion throughout the United
states has moved steadily toward a Just
appreciation of the value OF forests
whether planted or of natural growth. |
The great part played by them in the cre-
alton and maintenance of the national
wealth Ia now more fully realized than
ever before
Wise forest protection does not mean
tho withdrawal of forest resources. |
whether OF wood. water or grass, from |
contributing their full share to the well |
fare of the people, but, on the contrary, |
gives the assurance of larger and more |
certain supplies The fundamental Idea !
or forestry Is the perpetuation of forests |
by use. Forest protection is not an end |
OF itself; 1t Ia means to increase and |
sustain the resources of our country and |
the industries 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 for
agriculture threatens our well being.
The practical usefulness of the national
forest reserves to the mining. grazing, ir-
rigation and other interests of the regions
In which tho reserves lie has led to a |
widespread demand by the people of the
west for their protection and extension.
The forest reserves will inevitably be of
still greater uso in the future than In the
past. Additions should be made to them
whenever practicable, and their useful
ness should be increased by thoroughly
businesslike management.
AT present the protection of the forest
reserves rests with the general land office,
the mapping and description OF their tim
Der with the United States geological sur
vey and the preparation of plans for their
conservative use with the burteal of for
tstry. which Is also charged with the gem
eral advancement of practical forestry in
the United States. These various func-
lions should be united in the bureau of
forestry to which they properly Belong.
The present diffusion OF responsibility is
bad from every standpoint. 1t prevents
that effective cooperation between the
government and the men who utilize the
resources of the reserves without which
the interests of both must suffer- The
scientific bureaus generally should be put
under the department, OF agriculture. The
president should have by law the power
or transferring lands for use as forest re-
serves to the department OF agriculture
He already has such power in the case of
lands needed by the departments of war
and the navy.
Irrigation.
The wise administration OF the forest
reserves will be not less helpful to the in
forests which depend on water than to
those which depend on wood and grass,
The water supply itself depends upon the
Forest. In the arid region It is water not
land. which measures production. The
western half OF the United States would
sustain population greater than that OF
our whole country today II the waters
that now run to waste were saved and
used for irrigation. The forest and water
problems are perhaps the most vital in
ternal questions of the United States.
Certain of the forest reserves should
also be made preserves for the wild forest
creatures, All OF the reserves should be
better protected from fires. Many of them
need special protection because of the
great injury done by live stock. above all
by sheep The increase In deer elk and
other animals in the Yellowstone park
shows what may be expected when other
forests are properly protected
oy law and properly guarded. Some of
Ihese areas have been SO denuded of sur
lace vegetation by overgrazng that the
ground breeding birds. including grouse
and quail. and many mammals, including
leer, nave been exterminated or driven
away. AT the same time the water stor-
ing capacity OF the surface has been de-
srensed or destroyed. thus promoting
foods In times Of rain and diminishing the ,
low of streams between rains
IN cases where natural conditions have !
been restored for few years vegetation ,
las again carpeted the ground, birds and /
ieer arc coming back. and hundreds of
PERSONS, especially from the Immediate I
leighborhood. come each summer to en-
oy the privilege OF camping. Some Mt 4
east OF the forest reserves should afford
perpetual protection to the native fauna /
'nd nora; sale Ravens of refuge to our /
iT1t In Hell lila