Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-12-11

cent OF our forested territory is now
reserved in national forests; but these
do rot incicde the most valuable tim
Der lands, and in any event the pro
portion is too small to expect that he
reserves can accomplish more IL an
a mitigation of the trouble which 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 datri-
ment to farm to furnish a harvest;
So that there is no parallel between
forests and mines, which can only lie
completely used by exhaustion.
ALI the forest lands possible should
be acquired for the use of the nation.
These lands. because they form a ma.
t:onal asset, are as emphatically ma
tonal 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 IL
lessible be accompanied by an agree
ment with Canada that there shall
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, aud it would be well to pro
| tect the people against unjust and
extortionate prices, so far as that can
still be done What has been accom-
l plished In the great OIL fields of the
Indian Territory by the action of the
administration, offers striking ex-
ample of the good results of such a
lsolicy. The government should have
the right to keep the fee of the coal,
oil, and gas fields in its own posses
sion, and to lease tn, lights to develop
them under proper regulations.
The Panama Canal.
}, Work ON the Panama canal is pro
/ ceeding in highly satisfactory man
ner.
Postal Affairs.
The president commends to the IA
rorable consideration of the congress
postal savings bank system and for
Sn extension o. the parcel post, es.
/. Ieoially on the rural routes. There
ere now 3S,215 rural routes serving
nearly 100000 people who do not
have the advantages of the inha5i
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. 1t is desirable that tue country
merchant should not be crushed out
It would be most desirable thing
to put the fourth-class postmasters
in the classified service.
Foreign Affairs.
In foreign affairs this country
steady policy is to behave toward
other nations as strong and self-res-
I recting man should behave toward the
other men with whom he is brought
into contact.
Substantial progress was made al
the Hague towards the creation of a
permanent judicial tribunal for the de
termination of international causes.
4 Porto Rico.
The president recommends that the
rights of citizenship be conferred
upon tue people of Porto Rico.
Alaska.
Some form of local self-government
should be provided for Alaska and
read building and railway building
should be encouraged. Whisky sell
ing to the natives should be made fel.
Guy. The toal land laws should b.
changed so as to meet the peculiar
reeds OF the territory.
Hawaii.
4 The unfortunate failure of the ship
ping bill at the last session of the
last congress was followed by the
taking off of certain Pacific steam
ships, which has greatly Lampared
the movement of passengers between
Hawaii and the mainland. Unless
congress is prepared by positive en-.
couragement to secure proper facilf'
ties in the way of shipping between
Hawaii and the mainland. then the
coastwise shipping laws should be so
far relaxed as to prevent Hawaii suff.
ering as it is now suffering.
Mining.
A bureau of mines should be ere
ated under the control and direction
of the secretary of the interior: the
bureau to have power to collect sta
tistics and make Investigations in
j all matters pertaining to mining and
1 articularly to the accidents and dan
gers of the industry.
i. The Hermitage.
The president recommends to con
i gress to provide funds for keeping up
the Hermitage, the home of Andrew
jackson, and that q naval monument
be established in the VicEsburg ma
tional park.
The Thirteenth Census.
A