Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-23

would otherwise derive their liveIi-
hood, we reduce the capacity of our
land to support population, and so
either degrade the standard of living
or deprive the coming generations of
their right to life on this continent. Ii
we allow great Industrial organiza.
lions to exercise unregulated control
Of the means Of production and the
necessarfes of life, we deprive the
Americans of today and Of the future
or industrial liberty, right no less
precious and vital than political free
dom. Industrial liberty was fruit of
political liberty, and in turn has BIZ
come one of it's chief supports, and ex.
actly as we stand for political demo-
cracy SO we must stand for Industrial
democracy.
The application of common sense to
common problems for the common
good, under the guidance of the priu-
ciples upon which this republic was
based, and by virtue of which it ex
lists, spells perpetuity for the nation.
civil and industrial liberty for It's
cltlzens, and freedom of opportunity
IN the pursuit of happiness for the
plain American, for whom this nation
was founded, by whom it was preserv-
ed. and through whom alone 1t can be
perpetuated. Upon this platform -
larger than party differences. higher
than class prejudice, broader than tiny
question of profit and loss = there is
room for every American who realizes
that the common good stands first
The National Conservation Commits
sion wisely confined its report to tho
statement Of facts and principles,
leaving the executive to recommend
the specific steps to which these
facts and principles inevitably lead.
Accordingly, l call your attention 10
some of the larger features of the sit
uation disclosed by the report and to
the action thereby clearly demanded
for the general good.
Waters.
The report says
Within recent months it has
been recognized and demanded by
the people, through many thous-
and delegates from all states as
sembled in convention in different
sections Of the country, that the
waterways should and must be
improved promptly and effectively
as a means of maintaining nation
al prosperity.
The first requisite for water
way Improvement is the control or
the waters in such manner as to
reduce floods and regulate the
regimen OF the navigable rivers.
The second requisite is develop
m n ~ sy1n1 r,
tons in such manner as to regu-
late commerce.
Accordingly, I urge that the broad
plan for the development of our wat
erways,. recommended by the Inland
Waterways. Commission, be put in eff,
feet without delay 1t provides for a
comprehensive system of waterway
Improvement extending to all the uses
OF the waters and benefits to be de-
rived from their control, including
navigation, the development of power.
the extension of irrigation. the drain
age of swamp and overflow lands,
the prevention Of soil wash and the
publication of streams for water sun.
ply. 1t proposes to carry out the
work by coordinating agencies in the
federal department through the me-
dunn of an administrative commits
sion or board, acting in cooperation
with the states and other organiza-
lions and individual citizens.
The work Of waterway develop
ment should be undertaken without
delay. Meritorious projects in known
conformity with the general outlines,
of any comprehensive plan should pro-
coed at once. The cost of the whole
work should be met by direct appro.
priation If possible, but If necessary
by the Issue Of bonds in small demon.
nations.
1t is especially important that the
development of water power should be
guarded with the utmost care both
by the national government and by
the states in order to protect the PEG
pie against the upgrowth of monopoly
and to insure to them a fair share In
the benefits which will follow the de-
Velopment of this great asset which
belongs to the people and should be
controlled by them.
Forests.
| urge that provision be made for
both protection and more rapid devel-
opment of the national forests. Other
wise, either the increasing use of
these forests by the people must be
checked or their protection against
fire must be dangerously weakened.
II we compare the actual fire damage
on similar areas on private and ma
tional forest lands during the past
year, the government fire patrol
saved commercial timber worth as
much ms the total cost Of caring for
all national forests at the present rate
for about ten years.
| especially commend to the con-
gress the facts presented by the COM
mission as to the relation between
forests and stream flow in its bearing
upon the Importance of the forest
lands in national ownership. Without
an understanding of this intimate re-
lation the conservation Of both these
natural resources must largely fail.
The time has fully arrived for rec.
ognizing in the law the responsibility
to the community, the state, and the
nation which rests upon the private
owners of private lands. The owner
ship of forest land is a public trust
The man who would so handle his for