The Washington times., 1909-08-11
CONSERVATION QUESTION Up
TO CONGRESS.

Opinions may differ on the question
whether Secretary of the Interior Bal
lincer OF Clifford Pinchot, chief forester
Is right in the controversy over the
policy to be pursued in regard TO con
servation. Mr.. Ballinger has pursued a
policy of strict enforcement of the
law as he sees il, and he seems to feel
that the reclamation service and the
forest service have been getting outside
of the pale Of the law in carrying on
their work On the other hand, the
remarks of Mr.. Pinchot in his speech
before the irrigation congress at Spo-
kane leave no doubt that he feels Mr..
Ballinger has been intent on living up
10 the letter of the law without observ-
ing its spirit, and that as the result the
Water Power trust, which he asserts Is
in rapid process of formation, is get
ting an undue measure of control over
valuable water powers in different parts
Of the country.
Tt has been as certain as anything
could be that It would not be long be
fore Nlr Pinchot and 0lr- Ballinger
would collide openly That there has
been a conflict of policy between them
has been well known for months 1t
has been on almost tom the date when
Mr.. Ballinger was sweyu in as Secretary
Of the Interior Mr.. Bsllinger has re-
fused to permit as broad a construction
Of the laws with respect to power sites.
10 forestry. and reclamatio matters as
Secretary Garfield did. For this he
has been sharply criticised by the en-
thusiastic supporters Of the policy Of
conservation OF natural resources, not
only IN Washington. but in many parts
of the country He has been roundly
accused Of being unfr;endly to the great
policy of conservation of natural re-
sources. Thus far President Taft has
apparently been backing Secretary
Bsllinger The President has re
peatedly declared himself in favor
of conservation. which, as everyone
knows. was one Of the greatest of the
policies which Theodore Roosevelt
prt mulgated and preached.
Il is not essential 10 reach a conclu-
sion on the point whether Mr.. Bal
linger Is right in adhering 30 a strict
construction of the law in this case or
whether Mr. Pinchot is right. But it
Is extremely essential that Congress
should tGke hold of the conserva ton
question IN earnest. and that without
delay. If it be true that a strict con
struction of the statues makes the
Federal Government practically helpless
10 prevent Tic incipient Water Power
trust from gobbling mp great water
power sites; if the law is too narrow
and confined TO prevent the reclamation
service becoming of the utmost possible
benefit 10 the seekers Of homes; If
broader statutes are needed 20 work
out the whole policy of conservation
and give the present and future gen
Grafton and not a few great interests
the benefit. then there should be legis-
lation accordingly.
No fair minded consideration Of this
great problem, which is acutely raised
At the Spokane irrigation meeting, can
arrive at any other conclusion than
that Congress must work it out. and
that speedily II viii be one of the big
propositions which the lawmakers next
winter viii have TO consider. It is
not to be doubted President Taft viii
have important recommendation to
make along this line. Mr.. Pinchot's
speech sets forth state of facts which
it is impossible to believe public senti-
ment will permit Congress to ignore.
DE said:
Th-,e could be no better illustration
OF tH. eager. rapid. unwearied absorp-
ton by capital OF tie rights which
belong 10 all the people than the
Water Power trust, not yet formed,
but in rapid process Of formation.
This statement is true, but not un-
challenged. We are met at every turn
bE the ind grant denial of the water
power interests. They tell us that
there is TO community OF interest
among them. and yet they appear
year after year at these congresses
by their paid attorneys. asking for
your influence 70 help them remove
the few remaining obstacles to their
perpetual and complete absorption Of
the remaining water powers.
Mr. Pinchot has pried the lid of Of
one OF the livest questions in the public
mind 10 day. Now if the law as it