The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-15

increasing the states holding from
what it is now, less than a million
acres, to at least five million acres,
giving preference to localities con-
tanning watersheds and WATERPROOF
er streams, keeping absolute, con-
troll OF these streams, as we are re-
verting for the second time to this
method of producing great COM
mercial force.
The second of the natural re-
sources upon which l will say but
few words is oil. This state
which for thirty years had the great
est oil producing section in the
world, creating vast fortunes for in
dividuals, has received no perma-
nent benefit from this great wealth
producing commodity.
The third natural resource is
coal. | shall only speak of an
thracite COAL because it is distinct
ly u Pennsylvania production; and
the people of our State should not
permit this to be depleted for the
use and the comfort of the nation,
without one permanent compensation,
benehting all the people of State
in which Divine Creator so gen
erously placed beneath the surface
of her soil this wonderful and valu-
able commodity.
Therefore, as two of our great
natural resources are past produc-
ing a large revenue, we are then
justified in levying a tonnage tax
upon this one great natural re-
source, which could produce a sum
great enough to leave permanent
monument of enduring benefit to
all in Pennsylvania. There is no
doubt. but that the very catchy
phrase, Taxing the coal bucket
would be used to some considerable
extent, but as the average coal
sumption per family of moderate
means is but four tons a year, they
should not disapprove of this ad-
ditional charge, when the return III
value to them in various ways
would be about four dollars to one
expended OF the 64,665,G
tons Of anthracite coal sold during
nineteen hundred and eight, all but
nineteen million tons could bear a
graded tax, the amount so placed
as to produce about ten millions
dollars annually. The domestic
coal consumers of Pennsylvania
would not pay more than one
fourth of this amount, while the
various sections outside of our State
would pay the remainder-three-
fourths-of this tax; one-half of
this amount should be used in
highway construction to build good
substantial roads throughout all
Pennsylvania, thereby keeping pace
with our neighboring states; one
fourth should be used for the pur-
chase and preservation of the for
ests. watersheds and water-power
and the remaining one-fourth should
be added to the public school ap-
preparations.
In closing my remarks, permit
me to say, that the active officials
of the financial institutions of Penn
sylvania are to be congratulated
upon the careful, proper and con-
servative management of their
banks, which fact is recognized by
most everyone and appreciated by
the people of Pennsylvania. The
organization of bankers as whole,
is undoubtedly the most powerful
association within the common
wealth; for Practically all forms of
commercial business, great and
small, depend upon the assistance
they render, and upon this liberal
help depends the upbuildng and
progress of all lines of business,
which means progressive munich
palities and employment for its in
habitantS.
The business community and the
financial institutions are so closely
interviewer that they form one
great business fabric Of superior
force and strength. There is a
multiplicity of duties devolving
upon the active head of a bank,
but these should not be permitted
to engross the entire interest in ones
life; for the general welfare of your
towns, cities, state and nation
should have an equitable share of
the abilities you possess. There
should be well-beaten pathway
leading to some central point in
your community, aside from the one
between the bank and your home,
where civic conditions are discuss
ed and where you men who are the
most vital force in your community
should without fear or favor stand
for the betterment of conditions
within our commonwealth
An Every Day Occurrence.
A few minutes before II O'Clock