The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-12-08

clally as regards the national forests,
which the nation can now at this very
moment control.
1.-THE president here clteD In support |
OF his contentious the great lestrpc-
tion wrought IN China by tihshenuda-
tion OF the Forest areas.
What has thus happened In northern
China. whht has happened in central
Asia, IN Palestine. in north Africa. in
parts OF the Mediterranean countries
OF Europe, viii surely happen in our
country II we do not exercise that
wise forethought which should be one
OF the cllee marks OF any people call
Ing itself civilized. Nothing should be
permitted TO stand in the wpy Of the
preservation Of the forests, and It is
criminal to permit individuals to pur-
chase little gain Tor themselves
through the destruction of forests
when this destruction is fatal to the
we'll being OF the whole country IN the
future.
Inland Waterways.
Action should be begun forthwith.
during the present session OF congress.
for the improvement of our inland wa
ter,eays- action which will result In
giving Us not only navlgable but
navigated rivers. We have spent
hundreds Of millions OF dollars upon
these waterways. yet the traffic OH
nearly an Of them Is steadily declin-
ing This condition n the direct re-
suit Of the absence of any compre-
hensive and farseeing plan Of water
way Improvement. Obviously we can.
not continue thus TO expend the rev
enues OF the government without re-
turn. II Is poor business TO spend
money Tor inland navigation unless
we get It.
Such shortsghted. vacillating and
futile methods are accompanied by de-
creIs;ag water borne commerce and
increasing traffic congestion on land.
by increasing foods and by the waste
Of public money The remedy lies IN
abandoning the methods which have
so signally failed and adopting new
ones In keeping with the needs and
! demands Of our people.
IN a report on a measure Introduces
at the first session OF the present con
grcss the secretary Of war said. The
chief defect IN the methods hitherto
pursued lies IN the absence of exccu-
tive authority for originating compre-
hensive plans covering the country or
natural divisions thereof" In this
opinion heartily concur
Until the work Of river Improvement
| is undertaken in n modern way It can
not have results that will meet the
needs OF this modern nation. These
needs should be met without further
,lllly-dallylnG or delay. The plan which
promises the best and quickest results
Is that Of q permanent commission au-
ihorized to coordinate tho work OF all
the government Departments relating
to waterways aud to frame and super
wise the execution OF q comprehensive
plan. The time for playing with our
waterways Is past. The country de
mands results.
National Parks
urge that all our national parks ad-
iacent TO national forests be placed
completely under the control OF the
Forest service OF the agricultural de-
partment, instead of leaving them, as
they are now, under the interior de-
Dartment and pollced by the army.
Pure Food.
The pure food legislation has already
worked a benefit difficult TO overesti-
mate
Secret Service.
Last year an amendment was incor
porated m the measure providing fol
the secret service which provided thai
there should be no detail from the 81
cret service and no transfer thercfrom
II is aot Zoo much 60 say TINT thl.
amendment has been OF benefit only
and could be OF benefit only, TO th,
criminal classes. The amendment II
question was Of benefit to no one ex
ceptlng 20 criminals, and II seriously
hampers The government IN the detec
tlon OF crime and the securing OF jus
tice. It prevents the promotion OF en-
ployeea In the secret service. and thl
further dlscOurages good effort In ii
present form the restriction operate
only to Tire advantage OF the criminal
I of the wrorgdoer.
The chleS argument IN favor OF In
provision was that the congrcssmol
did not themselves wish 60 be invest
gated by secret service men. Very III
tie OF such Investigation has been don
I In the past, but II is true that the Nor
! OF the secret service agents was part
responsible for the indictment and COZ
gictior OF senator and n ctngressma
for land frauds I'm Oregon. ] do nc
believe that Il is in the public lntires
10 protect criminals IN any branch {
$ the public service. aud exactly an "
. have again and again during the pa
6 seven years prosecuted and convicte
o such criminals who were in the exec
: tive branch OF the goyernment so
Z my belief we should be given amp
= means 20 prosecute them II found
= the Legislative branch. But II this
Y not considered desirable 2 special e
= ceptlon could be made In the law pr
y hibiting The use OF the secret seryi'
!. . Qnrra an {nvaqfica tfntg namhars az II