Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-09

same end as personal improvidence, and
that needless waste must stop. Inc time
to deride or neglect the statements OF ex-
oerts and the teaching OF the facts has
gone by.
1.-The time TO act on what we know has
now arrived. Common prudence. common
sense and common business principles are
applicable 10 national affairs just as they
are to private affairs, and the time has
come to use them In dealing with the
foundations Of our prosperity
Application of Common Sense.
1--WE must not grow hysterical or sem
sational in depicting our condition. But
neither must we allow false security
based on conditions long since passed
away to prevent us from seeing the 1acts
and applying business common sense 10
the situation they disclose. The purpose
of the inventory was to give the facts
not to create alarm; but to take stock OF
what we have, and to lead TO inc nee
essary action for its preservation and IN
crease.
Our natural resources are SO related
that the use of one affects the use OF all
the others. This is especially true OF
our waterways. Every m&n, woman ana
child within our borders has an interest
in them, through navigation power, irri-
cation or water supply. or through all
four. We have neglected our waterways
more than any other natural resource,
and we must put end to that neglect
The inland waterways commission mas
told us how.
First. let us prepare comprehensive
plan for inland waterway development
along the lines pointed out by the COM
mission. Such plan must consider every
use of the waters; it must put the inter
ests Of all the people in advance OF any
private interests whatsoever. The prepa.
ration Of this comprehensive plan should
begin at once.
Second, let us proceed Immediately
with the construction of the waterways
for which plans have already been APP
proved and which We are now certain Will
fit into the outlines of the general plan.
Our previous policy of representation,
delay and ftfu and partial action has
borne its perfect fruit. Our waterways
are deserted, and IN return for our vast
expenditures we have little or no navlga-
ton to show
People Ready for Change.
THE people are ready for a change.
Let us have it. and at once. If we can
pay the cost from current revenues let us
do SO. If not, let us issue bonds. BY
either method let us have the waterways.
and that quickly. The plan and the work
can and should proceed together. While
the work We are sure of Is being begun
the plan for the rest can be prepared.
1.-The work. therefore, should begin at
once. But there must not be the slight
est recklessness or waste of money. No
work whatever should be undertaken that
has not been thoroughly examined and
fully approved by competent experts.
Above all. not one cent should be eX
pended to satisfy special interests.
whether of a business or a locality. or
promote any mans political fortunes
This Is too large a matter to be handled
In such a way. We must approach 1t
from the point of view of the national In
terest under the guidance of the wSest
experts in engineering. IN transportation
and in all the uses of our streams. For
ests and waterways cannot be separated
in any successful treatment of either
Forest protection and river development
must go hand in hand. The three things
which should be done without any further
delay are. therefore: First, to provide for
a comprehensive plan of waterways de-
velopment: second. to begin at once on
work already planned that will surely tit
into the larger plan: third, to provide
amply for forest protection against fire,
against reckless cutting. against wanton
or reckless destruction of all kinds and
to secure the Appalachian and White
mountain national forests without delay"
Next Administration Pledged
Mr.. Tat went over the general subject
of conservation. The principal point he
made was that he was willing to follow
the lead of the President in the work of
improvement and forest man.
agement. and that he agreed with the
President that the time rad passed Nhan
money should be frittered away on this