The Washington times., 1909-11-30
ConServationiStS Stand by
to Urge Legislation Secre-
tary Says He Desires.
MILITANT POLICY
FOR NEXT SESSION
Two Organizations Now Have
Headquarters in Washington to
Direct Fight for Rights.

n Secretary OF the Interior BalIinger
wants assistance in getting from Com
gress legislation to safeguard the
country's interests in water site mat
tiers, he can get il from the National
Conservation Association, which stands
ready TO aid the Interior Department
chief IN everything that he may de-
side to do on behalf of the people
It may be that Mr.. Bailinger will
consider any pronered aid from the as
ISOLATION as intended in the spirit Of
irony. but the association officials are
whOle-hearted and sincere.
In a recent dispatch an attempt was
made to differentiate between the va
rious bodies organized 20 promote the
conservation of the natural resources
of the country The two militant or
carnations as they stand today are the
Joint Conservation Committee and the
National Conservation Association. The
latter organization has just opened
now offices in washington.
The association is a peoples associs-
tiOn. II is not in any way connected
with the Government of the nation or
any State. DR.. Charles w. Eliot, for
mer president OF Harvard. is the chief
official of the association. In the
Washington headquarters Thomas r.
Ship is I'm charge OF matters concern
ing policy and publicity.
Peoples Organization
The association will be active 1T the
coming session OF Congress. It's mem
beers have made the water power fight
their own
Mr.. Ballinger thought. that former
Secretary Garfield exceeded his legal au-
thority when he withdrew certain pub
lie lands 10 prevent them from being Ia
ken by private corporations. After the
present Secretary had restored the land
he was compelled by the Administration
10 withdraw them once more, and he
was forced to do the Withdrawing on
the supervisory authority Of the Sec
rotary II tho Interior. just the kind Of
authority which he did not think AR
Garfield had the. right to act upon.
Secretary Pallinger is desirous, he
says, that 'his supervisory authority
shall be made absolutely legal and IL is
10 secure its legality that the Conser-
walton Association Is willing, IL il is
asked, TO aid the Secretary.
Everyone Eligible.
The National Conservation Association
Is an organization TO which every Am
erican citizen is eligible as a member.
1t wants everybody to come I'm and
help in tho work OF convincing Congress-
this winter that tho people have rights
which corporations are bound 10 re-
spcct
The Interior Department Is especially
concerned in the matter Of water power
rights. The association outlines its DO
siuon on this subject and the officials
Promise 10 stand by the position when
the struggle for regllative legislation is
on.
IL is demanded by The association
that IN all future grants OF water pow
or rights by state or nation there shall
be incorporated in them provisions
which shall secure The payment Of rea-
sOnablc compensation For he benefits
granted by the people; the limitation Of
grants to periods not eXceediH. fifty
wears, AMI the reservation of the rights
10 terminate and recOnvey the grant for
proper cause and upon equitable COM
pensation.