Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-12-20

forest reserves themselves are of ex-
IRENE value to the present as we'll as to
the future welfare of all the western
public-land states. They powerfully af-
feet the use and disposal of the public
lands. They are of special Importance
because they preserve the water supply
and the supply of timber for domestic
purposes, and so promote settlement I'M
der the reclamation act. Indeed, they are
essential to the welfare of every one of
the great interests of the west.
Although the wisdom of creating for
est reserves is nearly everywhere heart
lily recognized, yet in few localities
there has been misunderstanding and
complaint. The following statement is
therefore desirable:
The forest-reserve policy can be sue
cessful only when it has the full support
OF the people of the west. 1t cannot
safely, and should not in any case, be
imposed upon them against their will.
But neither can we accept the views Of
those whose only interest in the forest is
temporary; who are anxious to reap what
they have not sown and then move away,
leaving desolation behind them. On the
contrary, it is everywhere and always
the interest of the permanent settler ard
the permanent business man, the man
with stake in the country, which must
be considered and which must decide.
l have repeatedly called attention to
the confusion which exists in govern
ment forest matters because the work is
scattered among three independent or
ganizations. The United States is the
only one of the great nations in which
the forest work of the government is not
concentrated under one department in
consonance with the plainest dictates Of
good administration and common sense.
The present arrangement is bad from
every point of view. Merely to mention
1t is to prove that it should be terminal
ed at once. AS l have repeatedly recon-
mended, all the forest work of the gov
eminent should be concentrated In the
department of agriculture where the
larger part of that work is already done,
where practically all of the trained for
esters of the government are employed.
where chiefly in Washington there is
comprehensive tirst-hand knowledge Of
the problems of the reserves acquired
on the ground, where all problems relat-
ing to growth from the soil are already
gathered, and where all the sciences
auxiliary to forestry at hand for
prompt and effective cooperation.
i The Postal Service.
! In the post office department the service
has increased in efficiency, and conditions
as to revenue and expenditure continue sat
1Sfactory. The increase of revenue during
tie year was s9,35S, 1910, or 6s per cent,
the total receipts amounting to $143, 3S2,-
6A34 The expenditures were $152, 1862 1l6 10,
an increase of about nine per cent. over the
previous year, being thus $S,979 1892. SO in ex-
cess of the current revenue. Included in
these expenditures was a total appropria-
ton of Sl2, 1856, 637 IS for the continuation and
extension of the rural free delivery service.
which was an increase of 81 902, 237. 85 over
the amount expended for this purpose in
the preceding fiscal year. Large as this
| expenditure has been, the beneficent results
attained In extending the free distribution
Of mails to the residents of rural districts
have justified the wisdom of the outlay.
Statistics brought down to the LIST of Octo-
Der, 1904, show that on that date there were
, NlSS rural routes established, serving ap-
proximately 12,0O0,o0O of pee pie in rural dis
tricts remote from post offices, and that
, there were pending at that time $3.50 petit
lions for the establishment of new rural
! routes. Internationally some part of the
= general increase in receipts is due to the
increased postal facilities which the rural
service has afforded. The revenues have
i also been aided greatly by amendments in
j the classification of mail matter and the
curtailment of abuses of the second-class
mailing privilege. The average increase in
the volume of mail matter for the period
beginning with 1902 and ending June, 1870;
Chat portion for 1905 being estimated), il
, 4O.47 per cent, as compared with 25.46 pei
cent. for the period Immediately proceed.
Ing, and 1882 for the four-year period i'm.
mediately preceding that.
NdClOual quarantine Law.
1t is desirable to enact proper national
! quarantine law. 1t is most undesirable
. that state should on its own initiative
! enforce quarantine regulations which am
in effect restriction upon interstate and
International commerce. The question
should properly be assumed by the govern
ment alone. The surgeon, general Of tn,
= national public health and marine hospIta
service has repeatedly and convincinslI
set forth the need for such legislation
Currency.
The attention of the congress should bs
D | especially given to the currency question
i and that the standing committees on the
matter in the two houses charged with the
duty, take up the matter Of our currency
and see whether 1t is not possible to secure
an agreement in the business world fol
lettering the system; the committees
: should consider the question of the retire.
ment of the greenbacks and the problem
as Is consistent with safety. Every silver
dollar should be made by law redeemabls
In gold at the option. of the holder.
Merchant Marine.
! especially commend to your immediate
] attention the encouragement Of our mer.
chant marine by appropriate legislation,
Tariff.
On the tariff I shall communicate witt
, you later.
: Immigration and Naturalization.
There is no danger Of having too man,
immigrants Of the right kind 1t makes NJ
J difference from what country they come
II they are sound in body and in mind, and
e above all. If they are Of good character, 81
0 that we can rest assured that their chill
8 dren and grandchildren will be worthy fell
3 low citizens Of our children and grand.
g children. then we should welcome then
: with cordial hospitality.
FL But the citizenship of this country should
Q not be debased. It is vital that we SHOULD
: keep high the standard of well-beinf
among our wage workers, and therefore
]. we should not admit masses Of men who's,
Q standards of living and whose personal Gus
r toms and habits are such that they tend t,
Q lower the level of the American wage work
: er; and above all, we should not admit an,
man OF an unworthy type, any man con
corning whom we can say that he will him
self be bad citizen, or that his children
. and grandchildren will detract from in
. stead of adding to the sum of the goot
J, citizenship of the country. Similarly we
{ should take the greatest care about nat
I. uraliZation. Fraudulent naturalization
the naturalization of improper persons. Il
curse to our government: and 1t is tn,
t AFFAIR Of every honest voter, wherever born
e to see that no fraudulent voting is allowed
n that no fraud in connection with natural
I lzation is permitted
g | NaturaliZa tion Towc Mead D,.,;.i..