Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-09-30
OUTLINES POLICY
President Discusses Conserva-
tIOn Of Resources.
PLEDGED To ROOSEVELT IDEA
But VIII Not Act Without Author
! lily Of Congress.

6pOkAne, WISH, sept. zS.-Fresf
Gent Taft defEered here his long anti
eipated speech on the conservation OF
natural resources and outlined the
policy of his administration on this
subject OF supreme importance to all
the West.
Mr.. Taft broadly took the stand that
while the present administration is
pledged to follow out the policies OF
Mr.. Roosevelt. such a pledge does not
involve him in any obligation to carry
out these policies without congression-
al authority. The president added.
however, that he would take every
step and exert every influence upon
congress to enact legislation which
shall best subservs the purposes and
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 $10.0oo.000 bonds for
che completion Of irrigation projects
in the West upon which work has
been suspended because Of lack of
funds and the discovery that the pro-
jectors 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 and Senator
Borah Of Idaho and other Western sen.
ators and representatives have urged
upon the president that bond issue
was the only way by which justice
could be done.
Mr.. Taft declared congress did not
Intend that the government should
undertake projects which could not
be currently paid for out of the pro-
ceeds OF the sales of public lands, but
added that he has been impressed
during his visit to the West of the me-
cessity for immediate relief.
Praises BalIinger and Pinchot.
President Taft gave credit both to
Mr.. Pinchot and to Mr.. Ballinger. Ho
referred to the wonderful work of Mr..
Pinchot and said that while that work
had brought denunciation at first, it
was now generally realized that the
reforms inaugurated by Mr.. Pinchot
were not only necessary, but should
have been begun ten years ago.
The president defended the reopen.
ing OF lands by the present admins
tration as q compliance with existing
laws and declared Mr.. Ballinger's
views are in strict accord with those
OF the administration. and that he has
been helpful and win use his powerful
influence as secretary OF the interior
10 support the president In securing
congressional action that will put the
Roosevelt policy Of conservation on q
frmer basis. Mr.. Taft stated that
100000 acres of water power lands
withdrawn from the general entry by
the last administration has been re-
duced to 100000 acres under the pres
emit administration. The latter num-
Der. however. he pointed out, contain
more ascertained power sites than did
the original Withdrawals.
The president further stated II must
be understood that these Withdrawals
are only temporary to permit congress
to act upon recommendation he will
make that the government be autho-
riscd to grant or lease power sites to
private concerns, to be developed un-
der general government control and
supervision. II congress falls to act
Npon this recommendation the presi.
dent says he knows Of no way in
which the Withdrawals can much
longer be withheld from claims filed
1nder the general land laws.