The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-28
THE CONSERVATION CONTROL

| ne NpOhanS DfaNcn OF lne American
Mining Congress, taking notice of the
Instructions placed in the way of
mining operations in the so-called con
servatlon propaganda, has adopted reso-
lutlons In favor of turning over the
conservation policies involved to the
States for their administration. Fol.
lowing are the resolutions, adopted by
that branch on this subject, on De
cember 18th instant:
Whereas, there is a general federal
movement tending to the conservation OF
The water water powers, timber and coal
OF tne western states and territories. and
Whereas, this movement is of special
interest To the residents, operators and
investors within the borders OF the sew
eral states thus affected, and
Whereas. out OF an estimated total OF
thirty-seven million horsepower possible
OF development from the water within the
whole United States, Approximately one
half Is contained within the limits of the
northwestern and Pacific coast states
and about one third within the states of
Washington and Oregon. and
Whereas, these states have their own
future to consider as 10 the ultimate
disposition and control OF their resources
in order TO derive the greatest use and
and
Whereas. while 1t is generally conceded
that conservation Is not only necessary.
but immediate action advisable. yet IL Is
a debatable question as TO the best meth
DDS OF procedure, therefore be II
Resolved. That we must earnestly urge
upon the people OF Washington the neces-
sity of cooperating with the federal
government in the conservation of these
resources TO the end that the ultima lie
appropriation and use of these natural
powers and resources shall inure TO. and
be under the control of those most vitally
concerned In their appropriation and use:
be IL further
Resolved, That the ultimate power and
control OF these resources be vested In
the state whose people are affected by
them and that the coal lands. water power
or water power sites situated wholly
within a state be considered as state as
sets and the revenues derived therefrom.
whether by lease or taxation; shall ac-
crue TO the state In which Il is collected
and that no federal tax shall be collected
from these resources except upon the
same basis as other state property.
The committee reporting these rcso-
lutions comprised l.. X. Armstrong, r.
A Hutchinson, j. C.. Hcas, and Charles
P Robbins These gentlemen very Just
ly consider that the people of the
States where these natural resources
are found, have more interest in them
than have the people who reside in
States thousands of miles away; and
they contend that there is no room for
division on this point. And they state
the case like this:
" Neither the East nor the South
have been asked TO surrender their re-
sources nor the income thcrefrom, but
have enjoyed the full use of these, and
viii hand them down to postcrity as
their heritages.
"The residents of the Western States
have been asked to surrender their
forests. not alone TO the Federal con-
troll, but all revenue therefrom TO the
Federal treasury, and now pay grazing
charges on public lands which have
been free for the use of the pioneer
heretofore, from the foundation Of our
Government.
"Without consulting the interest or
wishes of the residents of these States,
it is now proposed TO Withdraw the
water power and TO raise the price on
the coal lands; and TO that end the wa
ter power sites from forty-two
streams arc already withdrawn and
the price has been raised 200 per cent
on 100000 acres, and we are assured
that this phase of the conservation
movement is only started
''If the revenue Of these resources
and their control are to be withheld
from the residents of the States in
which they exist, the previous benign
policy Of The United States Govern
ment will have changed to one which
will discourage the pioneer, will retard
development and forever put the Rocky
mountain and Pacific coast states under
heavy handicap.
In the withdrawal Of the remain
ing water powers and water sites, the
State of Washington alone is asked to
contribute the revenue from 100000
horse power, which, estimated at 25
cents per horse power per year, will
be 81 ,250,000.
"The renppraiscment Of 100000