The daily sentinel., 1908-12-09

results will rank as by far the most
useful statement of the National re-
sources ever prepared in any coun-
try. Each bureau, without relaxing
its regular work, has collected and
summarized the results of its past
work. and has contributed them to
the commission. / desire to make
special acknowled gment to the men
who have so cheerfully and success
fully accepted and carried out this
additional task. They have rendered
real service to the whole nation at
the cost of great personal sacrific of
time and effort to themselves. And
the best of it all was the admirable
spirit of cooperation which character
lied the whole work
Il am especially glad to welcome
the cooperation of the states, through
their Conservation Commission and
otherwise. Such cooperation gives
earnest of mutual assistance between
states and nation, and mutual bene-
fits to follow. Without it the great
task of perpetuating the National
welfare would succeed with diff
Guilty. If states and nation work for
it together, all in their several fields,
and all joining heartily where the
field is common. we are certain OF
success in advance"
In conclusion the President said:
Our natural resources are so re-
lated that the use of one affects the
use of all others. This is especially
true of our waterways. Every man,
woman. and child within our borders
has an interest in them, through nav
igation, power. irrigation, or water
supply or through all four. We
have neglected our waterways more
than any other natural resource and
we must put an end to that neglect.
The Inland Waterways Commission
has told us how.
First, let us prepare compre-
nensive plan for inland waterway de-
velopment along the lines pointed
out by the Commission. Such plan
must consider every use of the wa
ters, ii must put the interests of all
the people in advance of any private
interests whatsoever. The prepara-
tion of this comprehensive plan
should begin Al once
Second, let us proceed immedi-
ately with the construction of the
waterways for which plans have al
ready been approved. and which we
are now certain will fit into the out
lines of the general plan. Our pre-
vious policy of procrastination. de-
/ idH anu Iltih anu dNAlohr
borne its perfect fruit. Our water
ways are deserted, and in return for
our vast expenditures we have little
or 10 actual navigation 20 show. The
people are ready for change. Let
us have it, and at once. III we can
pay the cost from current revenues
let MS 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.
The work therefore should begin
at once. But there must not be the
slightest recklessness or waste of
money No work whatever should be
undertaken that has not been thor
oughly examined and fully approved
by competent experts. Above all not
one cent should be expended to sat
isfy special interests. whether of a
business or locality, or promote any
mans political fortunes. This is too
large a matter TO be handled in such
/ a way. We must approach ii from
the point of view of the National in
tcrest. under the guidance of the wis
est experts in engineering, in trans
portation, and in all the uses of our
streams. Forests and waterways
cannot be separated in any success
full treatment of either. Forest pro-
/ lection and river development must
so hand in hand. The three things
which should be done without any
4 further delay are therefore; First,
to provide for comprehensive plan
of waterway development. Second.
to begin at once on work already
planned that will surely fit 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 For
ests without delay"