Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-10
BONDS FOR CONSERVATION
President Roosevelt and President
elect Taft Place Themselves
on Record

WASHINGTON, Dec. s-President Roose-
welt and President-elect Taft Publicly put
themselves on record today in advocacy
Of the issuance of government bonds for
the construction Of permanent public inn
provements to conserve the national re-
sources OF the nation.
President-elect Taft presided at the joint
conservation meetlng this afternoon at
the Belasco theater in this city. at which
President Roosevelt made the principal adj
dress. The m Of the White House
gave his unqualified approval for the car
rying out of expert plans for the conserva-
ton of the nations resources. The coming
president seconded Mr.. Roosevelt's asser-
lions with hearty accord.
Governor Chamberlain of Oregon voiced
what seemed the advanced ground Of the
democratic party, in advocacy Of federal
jurisdiction and an audience which filled
the heater and which included Andrew
Carnegie. John Mitchell, senators and con-
gressmen and the governors OF several
states, applauded every sentiment ex-
pressed.
President Roosevelt spoke in part as fol-
lows:
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 man, woman and child
within cur borders has an interest in
Them, through navigation, power, irriga-
tion or water supply, or through all folr.
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 g comprehensive
plan for inland waterway development
along the lines pointed out by the COM
mission. Such a plan must consider every
use of the waters. 1t must put the inter-
ests of all the people in advance of any
private interests whatsoever. The prepara-
ton Of this comprehensive plan should
Second, let us proceed Immediately with
the construction of the waterways for
which plans nave already been approved,
anu when We are now certain will fit
INTO the outlines of the general plan.
our previous policy OF procrastination.
delay and fitful and partial action has
borne Its perfect fruit. our waterways
are deserted, and in return for our vast
expenditures we nave little or no actual
navigation to show. The people are ready
for a cnange. Let us have ii, and at once.
II we can pay the cost from current
bonds. BY either method let us have the
waterways, and that quickly. The plan
Sna the work can and SHOULD proceed to-
prepared.
Inc work, therefore, should begin at once.
But there must not be the slightest reck-
lessness or waste OF money. No work
whatever should be undertaken that has
otAA AaAAy
approved by competent experts. Above all.
not one cent should be expended to satisfy
special interests, whether of d business or
a locality, or promote any mans political
fortunes.
Forests and waterways cannot be sep
arated in any successful treatment Of
either. Forest protection and river develop
ment must go hand in hand. The three
things which should be done without any
further delay are, therefore,: First, to pro-
vide for a 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 am
ply for forest protection against fire,
against reckless cutting. against wanton
or reckless destruction of all kinds.
The joint meeting brought together the
members of the conservation committee and
their helpers, the delegates to the Great
Southern Commercial congress, the MEM
bers of the Rivers and Harbors congress
and others interested in working out a
comprehensive plan for making the most of
the lands, minerals, forests and waters that
belong to the public domain OF the United
States.