The Washington herald., 1907-12-04

and the West"
Trees Must Be Saved.
Further reclamation Of waste lands and
extension Of the forest reclamation serv-
Ice are urged in strong terms. Defects in
the public land laws developed by the
land fraud prosecutions of the last few
years are pointed out. legislation 10 rem
ecy them being urged along the lines laid
down by the Public Lands Commission.
Fencing 10 protect the public grazing
lands of the West, now prohibited by law,
Congress is asked 10 legalize.
Forest preservation and replacement as
remedy for the washing away Of val
liable lands is advocated. and the grow
ing scarcity Of lumber is urged as a fur
ther argument for the continuance OF this
work. which is represented as being at
present only in its infancy. The Presi-
dent shows his deep interest in this sub
Ject by an extended discussion Of the
dangers which confront the nation IN the
rapid depletion OF the forests for private
gain. without thought for the future %
the nation. Further extensive forest re-
serves are urged, especially IN the Ap-
paiacaian and White mountains.
Regarding the tariff on wood pulp and
other forest products. the Presidents pro-
nunciamento is unequivocal and strong:
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 ad-
Just themselves 70 the new conditions
The repeal OF the duty on wood pulp
should If possible be accompanied by an
agreement with Canada that there shall
oe no export duty on Canadian wood
pulp.
In the eastern United States the min
eral iuels have already passed into the
hands OF large private owners. and those
OF the West are rapidly following. II is
obvious that these fuels should be con-
served and not wasted. and il would be
we'll 10 protect the people against unjust
and eNtortionate prices. so far as that
can still be done. What has been ac-
ocmpiished In the great oil fields of the
indian Territory by the action OF the
ADMINISTRATION offers a striking example
OF the good results Of such a policy. In
my Judgment the government should
have the right 70 keep the fee OF the coal.
oil. and gas fields in its own possession.
and 70 lease the rights 10 develop them
under proper regulations: or else. II the
Congress VIII not adopt this method. the
coal deposits should be sold under limita-
tions, TO conserve them as public utill-
ties. the right 20 mine coal being sepa-
rated from the title 20 the soil. The regu-
iations should permit coal lands 10 be
worked In sufficient quantity by the sew
erai corporations. The present Iimita-
tons have been absurd. excessive. and
serve no useful purpose. and often render
IL necessary that there should ae either
fraud or else Abandonment of the work Of
getting out the coal
Canal Work Progresses.
Work on the Panama Canal is reported
by the President as progressing satsfac-
torily. and ali conditions in connection
with the undertaking are declared TO be
excellent, even the rainy seasons on the
sthmus proving a much less serious OBJ
stacie 70 the work than was anticipated.
A postal savings bank system. as ad-
vocated by the Postmaster General. is
commended 20 the favorable consideration
1f Congress. vita the primary object OF
,ultivating and encouraging among the
people economy and thrift The advan-
-sges OF such a system are declared 10
have been shown 10 be even more far
reaching than was generally supposed BY
he results Of the financial stringency
which has recently caused a furry in the
country. resulting IN the withdrawal OF
deposits from the banks by timid de-
oositors. who would not have the same
esr for the safety OF savings deposited
With government institution law
putting the fOurth-cl2ss postmasters IN
Ter the civil service laws is earnestly
Complimentary reference IS made 10 the
omission OF the new State Of Oklahoma.
md the President renews his request that
Alaska be placed under some form of eff
'ient. but inexpensive self-government.
md other recommendations in the interest
II that Territory are made. Secretary
Taft's report on the Philippines is prom
sed TO Congress upon his return. and citi-
.enship for Porto Ricans is again urged.
Reference IS made TO the falling OF in the
shipping between Hawaii and the main
ana due TO the failure OF the shipping
ill. and measures 10 correct this are
Urged, either by encouraging shipping or
otherwise. The importance Of making
Pearl Harbor available for the deepest
'essels and Of forifying the islands are
Ilso placed before Congress.
Minor recommendation include p~ovis- !
on for the preservation OF the Hermit |
age, the home OF Andrew Jackson. erect /
ng a naval monument in the Vicksburg
National Park, for the thirteenth census |
o be taken in 1910 and for the strength |
ming of the Bureau OF Public Health. |
he commissions appointed 10 organize /
cientific work of the government and
tudy departmental methods are referred |
o. with the statement that a special mes
age 10 deal with changes recommended 4
y these bodies will be submitted 10 /
congress later.
Government Campaign Funds.
Perhaps the most radical recommended
ion Of the message is that Congress pro-
'ide campaign funds for the great na-
ional parties during the Presidential
ampagn. He SAYS:
Under our form Of government voting
s not merely right. but a duty. and /
moreover a fundamental and necessary
Iuty II man is to be a good citizen.
I is well TO provide that corporations
hall not contribute TO Presidential or
ational campaigns. and, furthermore. 10
'rovide for the publication of both con-
rioutions and expenditures. There is.
owever, always danger in laws Of this
ind. which from their very nature are
iff1cult OF enforcement: the danger be-
ng lest they be obeyed only by the hon
ST. and disObeyed by the unscrupulous.
o as TO act only as penalty upon hon
st men. Moreover. no such law would
amPer an unscrupulous man of un-
United means from buying his own way
lto office. There is a very radical meas
re which would. / believe. work a sub
tantial Improvement in our system of
onducting campaign. although I am
ell aware that IL will take some time
OF people so 10 famiIiarize themselves