The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-10-23

Inclr constructive Iic2imc.
An extremely important feature of
the constructive Republican policy is
the national move for the conserva-
ton of the natural resources of the
country. This measure has been
originated by the present Republican
administration and, like the Home
stead law. the National Irrigation act
and other measures for the benefit of
he whole people, its influence is des-
tined to be far reaching and produce
tive of great good to the home build
ers of the country.
The National Conservation Com
mission as it exists to-day is an out
growth of the Inland Waterways
Commission - this commission was
appointed by President Roosevelt in
March, 1907. In his letter creating
the Waterways Commission the Pres
ldept uses this language: THAT the
Inland Waterways Commission shall
consider the relations of the streams
to the use of all the permanent nat
ural resources and their conservation
for the making and maintenance of
prosperous homes"
Home Building Fer the People.
The inquiries of the commission
along the lines indicated led to the
proposal OF tho President on October
2 that he call a conference on the
general subject of the conservat ton of
the national resources of the nation
Among other reasons mentioned for
this movement their letter to the
President stated: "Hitherto our ma
tional roiicv has been one of almost
unrestricted disposal of natural re-
sources, and this in more lavish meas
in, I, -, I,
worlds history. and this policy of the
Federal Government has been shared
by the constituent States. Three
consequences have ensued: First. un-
prccedrntcd consumption of natural
resources: second. exhaustion OF
these resources to the extent that a
large part of our a"ailahle public
lands have passed into great estates
or corporate interests, our forests are
so far depleted as to multiply the
cost Of forest products, and our sup
plies of coal and iron ore are so far
reduced as to enhance prices, and,
third, unequalled opportunity for
private monopoly, to the extent that
both the Federal and State sovereign
ties have been compelled to enact
laws for the protection of the people.
eve are of opinion that the time
has come for considering the policy
of conserving these material resources
on which the permanent prosperity of
our country and the equal opportu-
nifty of all our people must depend;
we are also of opinion that the policy
of conservation is so marked an ad-
vance on that policy adopted at the
outset of our national career as to
demand the consideration of both
Federal and State sponsors for the
welfare of the people"
The Constructive Leaven. at Work.
In his address before the Lakes-to-
the-Gulf Deep Waterways Association
at Memphis President Roosevelt an
nounced his intention of calling such
a conference, and on November IS he
issued invitations to the Governors of
all States and Territories to meet at
the White House May 1916, 1908.
In this letter he said: Recently l
declared there is no other question
now before the nation of equal grav-
lty with the question of the conserva-
ton of our natural resources, and
added that it is the plain duty of us
who foI the moment are responsible
to take inventory of the natural re-
sources which have been handed
down to us to forecast the needs of
the future and so handle the great
sources of our prosperity as not to de-
stroy in advance all hope of the pros
perity of our descendants"
- This conference was held, Presi-
, dent Roosevelt presided and the
practical conservation work was
properly launched.
Taft to Direct the Work.
Mr.. Taft is in thorough sympathy
with this movement to build more
homes for the people and to make
them more attractive. He is the
great American who typifies the inde-
pendence and the constructive genius
of the American home builder. There
is an innate desire in the heart of the
Anglo-SaXon American to own a
home. Mr.. Taft recognizes the inher-
ent yearning of the common people
apparent on every page of history to
own in fee simple some portion of the
earth. The desire is as keen to-day
as 1t ever was. OF all our wealth
producing class the farmer needs a
home most. He must have land. He
should by all means own it, His
farm need not be so large as some
iuppose, but it should belong to the
iarmer, not to someone else. This /.
lot only self-evid4n because of the
advantage to the farmer, but because
Of its advantages to the nation a
large. 1t is the cornerstone of oul
national life. 1t lies at the root o.
all true patriotism and all social i'm
provement and content.
Give a man a home upon the sol
and you have made him a patrio
who will defend your institutions a
the ballot box or on the battlefield
Mr.. Taft proposes to open the door t.
our vast natural resources with tn,
Republican key of national conserva
ton. This is most hopeful augur,
of the future. When The people hav
easy access to the land Md can full,
utilize our great natural resource
most of our other troubles will settl
themselves. The property owner is
conservative man who loves his fam
fly and his country. Let the propert
owners be as numerous as possible