The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-09-29
$1O,O0O,OOO FAVORED
FOR IRRIGATION PLANS
Taft Gives Credit to Both Pinchot and
BalIinger in Their Conservation
Work, md lndorses Re-
forms in Department.


dent Taft delivered here today his long
anticipated speech on the conservation of
natural resources and outlined the policy
of his administration on this subject.
He took the stand that while the pres
ent administration is pledged to follow
the policies of Mr.. Roosevelt, such a
pledge does not involve him in any obliga-
tion to carry out those policies without
congressional authorization. The Presi-
dent added, however, that he would ex-
ert every influence on Congress to en-
act legislation which shall best sub
serve the requirements of the situation
Mr.. Taft created much enthusiasm when
he added that he would urge Congress
to authorize the Secretary of the Interior
to issue s10.ooo.00o for the completion OF
irrigation projects In the west which has
been suspended owing TO lack of funds
Hardships havo been worked upon
many settlers through the suspension of
work.
1t was in Spokane a little while ago
that the National Irrigation congress met
and the Ballinger- Pinchot controversy
arose. Secretary Balinger was criticised
by former Governor Pardee of California
and others in the congress for having rec
commended and securing the reopening for
entry of lands containing waterpower
sites which had been Withdrawn by Mr..
Roosevelt. 1t was asserted that wa
terpower trust had been formed to take
up all of these lands and that the strong
conservation policy begun by Mr.. Pin
chot with the support OF Mr. Roosevelt
had practically been abandoned.
Praise for Pinchot.
! President Taft today gave credit both
4 to Mr. Pinchot and Mr. Baliingef He re-
ferred to the wonderful work OF MIR. PIN
chot and said that while that work had
! brought denunciation at first, it was now
| generally realized that the reforms in
augurated by Mr.. Pinchot were not only
necessary but should have been begun ten
! years ago.
! The President defended the reopening of
! lands by the present administration as
a compliance with existing laws and de-
clared Mr.. Balinger's views are in strict
accord with those OF the administration.
and will aid in putting the Roosevelt
policies OF conservation on a firmer basis.
President Taft dictated his conservation
speech on the train last night He sat up
until nearly l o'clock. He arose at o
this morning to correct the manuscript
concerning which he consulted freely with
Secretary Ballinger who has been with
the President since his arrival in Der
yer a week ago and will continue as q
member of the party as far as Seattle.
Since entry into the west and the tes-
timony of his own eyes to the miracles
wrought by touch of water on the vir-
gin land. the President has been an en-
thusiastic exponent of irrigation.
Automobile Ride.
Arriving at $50 a. M, the President
breakfasJed as the guest of the citizens,
enjoyed an automobile ride of more than
an hour about the city, made brief ad-
dress to a gathering of Grand Army vet
Grams and school children, reviewed mil
itary and civic parade, lunched with the
chamber of commerce. had a motor and
trolley ride into Occur dAlene city, Idaho,
where he made brief address. visited
Hayden Lake. Idaho, ene of the show bits
of scenery in the finland Empire" ant
was served with an all-game dinner at
Bozanta Inn, across the Idaho line, and
returning to the city at $3.50 left for North
Yakima, WASH, where he will arrive
early tomorrow morning.
From North Yakima the President will
go direct to Seattle, reaching there at
S:15 tomorrow night to pass two days in
and about the Alaska-Y ukon Pacific ex-
position.
fruit at almost every stop he has mads
since entering the fruit belt of the Colo
rado.
Today by direction of the President j
large quantity of fruits was distributed
to the local hospitals.
Governor Mehay. in introducing the
President today, said
I'VE like Taft because Roosevelt liked
him."
When the President responded he said:
your governor said you trusted Roose-
velt and that because Roosevelt trusted
you trusted me. Now, ! am glad to ac-
cept this method OF winning your ap-
proval.
LAS to Secretary Ballinger, | want to
thank the state of Washington for CIV
ing me such competent official. l am
glad l have come out among those who
know him to testify as to his efficiency
and integrity"