Arizona republican., 1909-10-02
The Chief Forester Will Not
 Revise His Policy THE WATER POWER TRUST
lie Declares to Be a Fact With Which Congress Must Deal-He Declines to Speak of His Quarrel With Ballinger


 asserting that a monopoly is being formed with the object of obtaining possession of the water power sites of the country, Clifford Pinchot. chief of the bureau of forestry, who returned today from an extended inspection of the west, declared that remedial legis- latiOn must be enacted at the coming session of congress if this great nat ural resource is to be preserved to the people. The problem of how best to prevent the nations water sites being gobbled up by such combinations. Mir Pinchot predicted. will be one of the biggest issues before congress. The supposed trust is now in the formative state. MT. Pinehot declared and prompt action by congress is neces- sary to throttle it.
 Another problem confronting con- gross will be the disposition of the vast areas of coal lands in the west. principally in Alaska. It is important that congress should take prompt ac- ton on this important matter, Mir. Pin chot said. for the protection of the country's fuel supply. and also to pre- vent a monopoly in that product
 Any doubt as to whether Pinchot would continue to advocate the policies for which he has fought so hard was set at rest by him today. As a result hf I,, termined as ever to continue his pol icies regarding the conservation of the country's natural resource and the great natural forest reserves
 He declared that President Taft is thoroughly imbued with the conserva- tion movement and the people are more aroused than ever. MT. Taft, Mir. Pinchot said. has expressed himself in favor of conservation commission. and he added that he (Pinchou was always in favor of that suggestion.
 One subject only did MT. Pinchot decline to discuss. That related to the so-called Ballinger- -Pinchot controv- ersy over the conservation question. That he had no intention of relinquish- ing his position as chief forester as the result of that incident was reiterated when he emphstically declared: T am not going to resign"
 After declaring that there is a water water power trust certainly in the process of formation" MT Pinchot added. fin my judgment. the tendency to consolidate which is now running through all industrial enterprises will Til f. the water power interests exactly as 1t has to the consolidation of the steel and oil interests. There has got to be legislationn on this water power bus mess. Mir. Taft, indicated his intention by asking congress for legislation for governing, as I understand it. the dis posal of water power sites on the public domain; so that the whole water power question naturally will be taken up before congress. Are we going to give these power sites in perpetuity is 8 question with which congress will have to deal
 -Is it possible to head off this trust?'' Pinchot was asked.
 The government probably cannot prevent the formation of such a mo- nopoly," he replied. but it can control 1t. I regard this matter as one of the most important questions with which congress will have to deal"
 MT. PinchOt said he never had seen the forests in q more satisfactory con dition- The personnel of the service is of a high standard and the district plan of organization in operation since December last is in admirable condi- tion- MT PinchOt said the recent tour Of Secretary Wilson through the West had had an admirable effect on foster ing the conservation sentiment.
 It developed the fact" said he. that people in places where most complaints come from. are strongly in favor of the conditions in the forests. Public sen tlinent is rapidly becoming unanimous lh favor of the forest service work. our receipts for the sale of lumber ana grazing are increasing There nave been fewer fires this year than ever before and we have them under better control"
 nave you anything to say on the question of conservation?' MT Pin chot was asked.
 Yes. l have" he replied. 'I wish