Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-12-05

cent of our forested territory is now
reserved in national forests: but these
do not include tie most valuable TIM
Der lands, and in any event the pro
portion is too small to expect that the
reserves can accomplish more than
a mitigation of the trouble whic., is
ahead for the nation. Far more dras-
tic action is needed. Forests can be
numbered so as to give to the public the
full use of their mercantile timber
without the slightest detriment TO the
forest, any more than it is a detri-
ment to a farm to furnish a harvest;
SO that there is no parallel between
forests and mines, which can only be
completely used by exhaustion
All the forest lands possible should
be acquired Tor the use of the nation.
These lands, because they form a ma
t:onal asset, are as emphatically ma
ronal as the rivers which they feed.
Tariff on Wood Pulp.
| There should be no tariff on any
forest product grown in this country;
and, in especial, there should be no
tariff on wood pulp; due notice OF the
| change being of course given TO
those engaged in the business so as
| to enable them to adjust themselves
to the new conditions. The repeal
| of the duty on wood pulp should If
lcssible be accompanied by an agree
| @IoI
be no export duty on Canadian pulp
! wood.
Mineral Lands.
In the eastern United States the
mineral fuels have already passed
into the hands of large private own
ers, and those of the west are rapidly
following. 1t is obvious that these
fuels should be conserved and not
wasted, and it would be we'll to pro
! tect the people against unjust and
extortionate prices, so far as that can
still be done What has been accom-
! plished in the great oil fields of the
Indian Territory by the action of the
administration, offers a striking eX-
ample of the good results of such a
policy. The government should have
the right to keep the fee of the coal,
Oil, and gas fields in it's own posses
sion and to lease the rights TO develop
them under proper regulations.
J The Panama Canal.
, Work on the Panama canal Is pro
I ceeding in a highly satisfactory man
neT.
Postal Affairs.
The president commends to the IA
vorable consideration of the cong esa
a postal savings bank system and for
ar extension o. the parcel post, eS
TeCialiy On the ruraI routes. There
ere now 38,215 rural routes serving
4 nearly 100000 people who do not
lave the advantages of the inhaoi
tants of cities of obtaining their sup
plies. These recommendations have
been drawn up to benefit The farmer
and the country storekeeper; other
wise, he says he should not favor
them. It is desirable that the country
merchant should not be crushed out
It would be most desirable thing
to put the fourth-class postmasters
III the classified service.
Foreign Affairs
In foreign affairs this countrys
steady policy is to behave toward
other nations as a strong and selt-re3-
4 recting man should behave toward the
other men with whom he is brought
into contact
C,,hc+on+iol nr>oo-rasc was made M
4 the Hague towards the creation of
permanent judicial tribunal for the de
termination aof international causes.
Porto Rico.
The president recommends that the
tights Of citizenship he conferred
, upon the people of Porto Rico.
Alaska.
Some form of local self-government
should be provided for Alaska and
,lICad building and railway building
should be encouraged Whisky sell
ing to the natives should be made fel
e Oily. The coal land laws should b.
changed so as to meet the peculiar
reeds OF the territory.
Hawaii.
The unfortunate failure or the snip
ping bill at the last session OF the
last congress was followed by the
taking off of certain Pacific steam
ships, which has greatly Lampered
the movement of passengers between
Hawaii and the mainland. Unless
: congress is prepared by positive en-
couragement to secure proper facllf
ties in the way of shipping between
:. Hawaii and the mainland. then the
coastwise shipping laws should be SO
t far relaxed as to prevent Hawaii suff.
3 ering as it is now suffering.
, Mining.
A bureau Of mines should be ere
5 ated under the control and direction
t of the secretary of the interior: the
] bureau to have power to collect sta
+ tistics and make Investigations in
t all matters pertaining to mining and
: articularly to the accidents and dan
: gers of the industry.
The Hermitage.
/ The president recommends to con
gress to provide funds for keeping u
the Hermitage, the home of Andrew
Jackson, and that naval monument
, be established i'll the VicEsburg ma
tional park.
The Thirteenth Census.
r,y,