The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-09-29
FAvORS BONDS
FOR IRRIGATION
Taft ArOuSeS Enthusiasm Of
WeSternerS.
TALKS HIGHLY OF PINCHOI

rN'so F'dnub Out rcW WdEU EUSO-
mlums For Secretary Ballinger.
Explains Reopcning Of Lands by
Present Administration as Being In
Compliance With Law and In Fur.
theranee Of Roosevelt's conserva.
tion Policies.
Spokane, Wash, Sept. 29.-Presi.
dent Taft delivered here his long an.
ticipated speech on the conservation
Of natural resources, and outlined the
policy Of his administration on this
subject.
He took the stand that. while the
present administration is pledged to
follow out the policies of MIR. Roose-
welt, such a pledge does not involve
him In any obligation 90 carry out
those policies without congressional
authorization. The president added,
however, that he would exert every
influence on congress to enact legis
lation which shall best subserve the
requirements of the situation.
President Taft created much enthu-
siasm when he announced that he
would urge upon congress the neces-
sity of authorizing the secretary OF
the interior to issue $4,000. 900 bonds
for the completion OF irrigation pro
jects 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 observe the limitations of
the reclamation act. Hardships have
been worked upon many settlers
through the suspension of work.
II was in Spokane little while
ago that the national irrigation con.
gress met and the Ballinger-Pinchot
controversy arose Secretary Ballin-
ger was criticised by Former Cover
nor Pardee of California and others
in the congress. for having recon.
mended and secured the reopening
for entry of lands containing water.
drawn by Mr.. Roosevelt II was as
serted that o "waterpower trust" had
been formed TO take up all of these
lands. and that the sl.ong conserva.
tion policy begun by Mr.. Pinchot with
the support of Mr. Roosevelt had
practically been abandoned.
President Taft gave credit both to
Mr. Pinchot and to Mr.. Ballinger. He
referred to the wonderful work OF
Mr.. Pinchot, and said that while that
work had brought dcnunciation at
first, It was now generally realized
that the reforms inaugurated by MIR.
Pinchot were not only necessary, but
should have been begun 10 years ago.
The president defended the reopen
Ing of lands by the present admins.
tratlon as a compliance with existing
laws, and declared that Mr.. Ballin.
gers views are in strict accord with
those of the administration. and will
aid In putting the Roosevelt policy OF
conservation on firmer basis.
Since his entry into the west and
the testimony of his own eyes as to
the miracles wrought by touch Of
water upon the virgin land, the presl-
dent has been an enthusiastic expo.
nent of irrigation.
Arriving here. the president break
tasted as the guest OF the citizens.
enjoyed an autopobile ride OF more
than an hour about the city. made
brief address 10 "a gathering of Grand
Army veterans and school children.
reviewed a military and civic parade,
lunched with the chamber of com.
merce, had a motor and trolley ride
into Occur d'Alene City, Idaho, where
he made a brief address; visited
Hayden Lake, Idaho, one of the show
bits of scenery in the Inland En-.
pire," and was served with an all
game dinner at Bozanta Inn, across
the Idaho line.
The president will reach Seattle
tonight, and will take I'm the exposl.
tion for two days.
Governor NJ. r.. Ray, In introducing
the president. said: "We like Taft be.
cause Roosevelt liked him"
When the president responded he
said: Your governor said you trust.
ed Roosevelt and that because Roose.
welt trusted me you trust me. Now
| am glad to accept this method OF
winning your approval.
''As TO Secretary Ballinger, | want
TO thank the state of Washington for
giving me such competent official
am glad ! have come out among
those who know him. to testify as &c
his efficiency and integrity"