New-York tribune., 1907-06-16
DENVER CONFERENCE.
Presidents Public Land Policy To
Be attacked.
IFrom The Tribune B,,reau.l

Washington. June 15.-A situation causing some
amusement to the officials of the administration
has grown out of the course of the individuals
sponsble for the Trans Mississippi Congress. which
is to meet in Denver June is. This congress
summoned, II Is believed, for the purpose of
attacking the policy of the administration in deal
ing with the public lands. and especially in segre
eating large portions Of the public domain for
est reserves. programme containing twenty-one
questions prepared and sent broadcast. with a
general invitation to all who cared to take part to
communicate with the secretary special invita-
ton sent to the Secretary Of the Interior TO
attend and present the side of the administration
and to bring with him such of his assistants
he might choose.
Secretary Garfield obtained the list Of twenty
one questions. called in Judge Ballinger. Commits
sioner Of the General Land Office; Professor
Newell. chief of the Reclamation Service. and
Clifford Pinchot, chief of the Forestry Service.
and they have framed replies to all the formal
questions which they believe will demolish the
opposition Now that certain representatives Of
the opposition have learned Of the course of the
Secretary of the Interior. however, they crying
that the administration Is trying to pack the con-
ference and prevent full and fair discussion
Of the problems before II. and this despite the
fact that they themselves sent formal invitation
to Secretary Garfield to lay before the Congress
the adminisra tions views and explain its policies.
The indications that the Secretary of the
Interior his assistants will be able present
a strong case. with one possible exception But
there who insist that the enthusiasm Of
the chief forester has outstripped the law. and
that in details the President has been Ill
advised.
The fundamental question at issue. however. be
tween the forest policy of the administration and
the residents Of those states In which the forest
reserves located Is not likely TO be set
tied by the fullest and fairest discussion. The
policy of the President, he has clearly indicated
is to conserve not only for this. but for future
generations the forest resources OF the nation-a
policy which would seem in the interest of the ma
ton at large. but which is alleged to work
hardship to the states in which reserves
tablished. Great forested areas. they say. how
ever essential they may be to the continued supply
OF timber and the future welfare OF the entire
people. do not make for the advancement of the
state IN which they located for the
venience and comfort OF the people who live In
the country adjacent to thens BY checking set
tement. diminishing the aggregate revenues and
making for sparsely settled community the in
terests Of the states II is maintained serious
ly injured, and irrespective OF the excellent rea-
sons which may be presented in support of the
proposition that the wholesale establishment OF
forest reserves is for the welfare of the whole
country. 1t will be difficult to convince indi-
yiduals or the states which thus Inconvenience
t!at the policy Is a good one.
Debate of this subject in Congress has demon
strated beyond question that the interests the
several states II not OF individual constituents
paramount In the minds of the national legislators
IN enaeting legislation which would promote the
the reclamation policy, whereby great of arid
lands are now being irrigated.
One Of the most stoutly contested propositions at
tho Denver conference Will be that in its enthusi-
aSm the administration has outstrpped the law
and that In constituting the statutes the only test
10 which they have been subjected has been an ex-
animation TO ascertain whether they expressly for
bade such actions seemed advisable to the ex-
ecutve officials. rather than whether they explicitly
authorized them. II this proposition can be sue
cessfully established. the administration will be
placed in apologetic attitude. but Secretary Gar
field and his assistants have gone West strongly
fortified, and. with the possible exception of Judge
balHnSer. tley COnrdenCly expect to deInOliSh the
contentious OF the opposition
Many members of Congress maintain that
successful scientist Is necessarily enthusiast
whose speciality has deprived him OF some meas
ure OF that most desirable commodity known a
common sense. Maintaining this, they assert that
the chiefs OF all scientific bureaus OF the gov
ernment should be under the control OF q force
H. and capable member OF the Cabinet who. like
a skilful driver. guide and restrain his scen-
thc steeds, checking their impetuOsity and di-
recttnS their movements and II IS further submit
ted that IN some instances in the last few years
there has been strong disposition on the part OF
certain high spirited scientists 10 bolt with their
driver. Whatever may be the merits OF this con-
tention. there many indications that at no
distant time Congress Will endeavCr to supply by
legislative CurbS and shackles a restraint which
may prove as harmful any present lack OF indi-
dual CpD