The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-09-29
President Talks on Conserva-
ton of Natural Resources
and Makes Plain His Pur-
pose Under the Law.
WILL ASK CONGRESS TO
AID IN IRRIGATION WORK
Bond Issue of S10,OOO,OOO
Proposed to Complete Pro-
jeCtS Begun but on Which
Work Has Been Stopped,
BALLINGER is COMMENDED

Spokane, Wash, Sept. 28.-Presi-
dent Taft delivered here today his
long-anticipated speech on the con-
servation of natural resources, and
outlined the policy Of his admins
tratiOn on this subject of supreme
importance to all the west.
Mr.. Taft broadly took the stand
that while the present administration
is pledged to follow out the policies
of Mr.. Roosevelt, such a pledge does
not involve him in any obligation to
carry out these policies without con-
gTessional authorization.
The President added, however, that
ne would take every step and exert ev-
cry influence upon congress to enact leg
islatiOn which shall best suDserve the
purposes and requirements of the stu
alton.
Enthusiasm Aroused.
President Taft created a great deal of
enthusiasm when he announced that he
would urge upon congress the necessity
of authorizing the secretary of the in
terror to issue $4,000 900 worth of bonds
for the completion of irrigation projects
in the west upon which work has been
suspended because of lack of funds and
the discovery that the projectors, in
their enthusiasm, did not closely OBJ
serve the limitations Of the reclamation
act. Hardships have been worked upon
many SETTLERS through the suspension
Of work. and Senator BOrah of Idaho,
and other western senators and repre-
sentativeS, have urged upon the FTesi-
dent that a bond issue was the only way
by which justice could be done
Mr.. Taft declared today that congress
did not intend that the government
should undertake projects which could
not be currently paid for out of the pro-
ceeds Of the sales of public lands but
added that ne has been impressed dur
ing his visit 70 the west Of the necessity
for immediate relief.
Ballinger-Pinchot Affair.
It was here in Spokane little while
ago that the national irrigation con-
gress met and the Ballinger-PinchOt
controversy arose. This controversy
was fostered by the friends and adher-
ents Of the two officials, but not by the
officials themselves.
Secretary Ballinger was criticized by
former Governor Pardee of California,
and others in the congress-, for having
recommended and secured the reOpening
for entry of lands containing water
power sites which had been withdrawn
by Mr.. Roosevelt It was asserted that
a water power trust" had been formed
to take up all of these lands, and that
the strong conservation policy begun by
Mr.. PinchOt with the support of Mr..
Roosevelt had practically been aban-
dOned.
Credit for Both.
President Taft today gave credit both
to Mr.. PinchOt and to Mr.. Ballinger. He
referred to the wonderful work of ar
PinChOt, and said that while that work
had brought denunciatiOn at first. it was
now generally realized that the reforms
inaugurated by Mr.. PinchOt We're not
only necessary, but should have been
begun ten years ago.
The President defended the reopening
of lands by the present administration
Continued on Page 2.