East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-15
THE CONSERVATION MOVEMENT, ITS
NEED AND IMPORTANCE TO NATION

address by stephen A. Lowell o
Pendleton, at the meeting Of the State
Irrigation Association at Baker City
December 10, 1905
For forty years this nation has liv.
ed under the eXhleration Of monu-
mental material debauch. 1t Is now
awakening to a realization that q
splendid patrimony has been lost
natural wealth dissipated, resources
wasted and to vivid conception OF
the truth that It's condition requires
serious consideration and the applica-
ton Of heroic remedies.
Ultimate history will probably not
write large the most Of the multi
farious activities Of the administration
now approaching its close at Wash
ington, but the conservation move
ment which in its latter days II has
instituted viii assuredly give its per-
manent fame, because the movement
must take rank with the Monroe doe
trine, the federal homestead law, the
expansion idea, and the reclamation
act, as national policies which reflect
not only national interest, but nation
al sentiment as well.
This must he coupled with a restor-
tion policy, comprehensive and just
which shall recover for the people the
vast array OF lands, forests, waters
fuel deposits and dockage places
which have been lost to them through
fraud. corruption and contracts un-
fulfilled. The necessary complement
of conservation is restoration. Togeth-
er they will assure a country for the
people under a government OF the
people.
Change of Sentiment.
A decade ago any declaration that
the Creator intended for the common
use of the children of men, all the
essentials of lifc-air, water land, for
ests and the fuel deposits within the
carth-would have been hailed So
cialistic dream. Today the declara-
tion Is acceptd almost universally as
aXionutlc. and the systems Of the past
which have permitted these 10 pass
TO private control are recognized as
the errors of primitive conditions. Up
on tins truth rests this most momen-
tous movement Of the opening cen-
tury.
The state Conservation commission
defines conservatNation as meaning
the bringing into everyday service In
the interests OF the common people the
best light of science and the most ef-
fective methods of engineering skill.
This definition is correct but it is
too limited and voices but an incident
I'm the boador view OF national and
state conservation upon which public
consideration is concentrated. Men
realize that private monopoly in either
OF the national resources, the essen
tials / have mentioned. can only result
I'm ultimate want, suffering and op-
preston. and SO far as ii can be done
with justice they propose to end It,.
Probably not for this generatin. The
process will be too slow, but for later
people and later years.
Creation of Wealth Helps
Reasonable men never object to the
accumulation Of wealth in money.
houses and chattels. Many believe
that there might be devised something
better in our industrial life than the
present profit system. ! am not dis
cussings the merits or demerits of the
social propaganda As a rule the pub
lie is benefited, not injured, by the
creation Of wealth, and the mass OF
men In recognition of this fact, believe