The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-02-13

where some VI these bureaus hav,
been represented by their chiefs ant
by an army of employees. He ha,
been able To study their system O
lobbying and fully appreciates tn,
disadvantage resulting to any depart
ment OF the government or state
whose interests may conflict In an,
way with one OF these great ma.
chimes, as long as the present practice
Is allowed TO continue.
The history OF civilization shows
conclusiyely that the best use OF nat.
ural resources is made when the con
troll OF such resources Is intrusted TO
those locally concerned, either In de-
Selopment or In their conservation.
Under all conditions the burden OF
public control and maintenance falls
on the community where the natural
resource Is found, and this has been
recognized by the great bureaus at
Washington. In spite OF the fact
that some Of those bureaus receive
millions OF dollars annually they still
advertise the fact that the cost OF
their local administration In the field
is already self-supporting. or will
soon be In that condition.
These bureaus bold that while the
government does not need the fees
obtained from such a source, yet the
principle should be enforced which
requires the party benefited to pay
for the benefits received. Under this
theory our seaport towns should de-
fray the expense OF constructing and
maintaining the navy; the Panama
canal should be dug by those who are
Interested In the comerece of seas:
the great inland water ways should
be constructed at the expense of the
territory directly tributary to these
works; the Department of Commerce
and Labor should be maintained at
the expense of the Iaboring classes
and Others directly concerned, while
the Department of Agriculture
should be conducted by leviyng trib-
ute on the farmer.
In discussing this subject, mani
testify one of great interest and i'm.
portance to the people OF the West,
1t is necessary tnat we aiIude briefly |
to some OF the theories which have
bad their origin in the bureaus. To
this connection ! have the pleasure
OF referring to an official publication
Of the Bureau of Forestry, entitled
the Use OF the National Forests
which first saw the light OF day on
June II OF the past year. ! regret
that time does not permit detailed
discussion OF the policies Endorsed
and the catching phraseoloey In this
little book of u pages. On page 10
the following paragraph occurs:
What happens to the water?
Nothing, except that the flow is
'teadier. The creation OF national
forest has no effect on the laws
which govern the Appropriation of
water. This is matter governed en-
-iiely by state and territorial laws"
On page 20 1t is stated that one OF
.he most vital reasons for..making
md maintaining national forests Is
20 save every drop and make IL do
he most effective work. This is fol-
owed by IA paragraph which Is sup.
posed to be an argument sustaining
he theory that forests do conserve
water. On page "a IL Is stated that
n accordance with the principle
hat when a private party uses
hing which belongs to all the people
he should pay for 1t. so reasonable
'harge is made for the water con-
erved by the forests.
The writer has studied the question
II tie effect OF forests on the run of
Il streams for more than 20 years.
lie has made measurements for the
purpose OF demonstrating whether or
lot the theory has any foundation In
act. He has conversed with those
Who have made similar inyetsiga-
ions, and particularly with people
Who have been living within forested
reas, especially In Wyoming. Ii was
ound several years ago that the For.
stry bureau needed "A recognition OF
he theory in order that IL might ob.
ain support where late water Is re-
uired for irrigation. Although the
Ulcers Of the bureua are scientific /,
len, yet when il comes to an appeal ,
0 public sentiment they do not hesi
ate to indorse any theory which will
ain support, regardless Of the scare.
ty OF scientific data which might
stablish the value OF the same.
1t is my opinion that the people at
irge have heard this theory stated
0 often as fact that IL is now sci.
ON questioned. The writer has
made inquiries IN every possible direc.
ion for some scientific information
'hicn will bear out the theory. The
ureaus at Washington have been
allied upon and to date not a single