New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-28
4CTIPE IN GUARDING
PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Has Conserved Water PoWcr
Sites Harmony 1cith
the President.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]


and without fear of successful contra
diction. Moreover, I have made every
possible effort by temporary Withdrawals
TO segregate existing water power sites
on the public domain, in order that Con-
sress may, by legislation, provide for
their proper conservation.
This statement was made to-day by
Secretary Baliinger of the Interior De-
partment. who has just returned from
an extensive tour of inspection of the
public domain and interests in the Far
West under the jurisdiction of his de-.
partment.
Il am relying chiefly on the great per-
suasive power of the President. sup
ported as it will be by an almost unani
nous public opinion" said Secretary
Ballinger, when asked what steps would
be taken to induce Congress TO enact
the legislation necessary to prevent
these water power sites from becoming
private property. He added, however,
that he purposed in his annual report
to recommend such legislation in the
strongest terms he could command. The
Presidents position. he said. was clearly
set forth in Mr.. Taft's speech delivered
at Spokane. which clearly indicated that
the Executive purposed TO make an
earnest recommendation of such legis-
lation in his annual message.
FORESTRY BUREAU DISPUTE.
When asked what steps would be
taken to check the efforts of the Forestry
In, hot no
Secretary OF the Interior was not in
sympathy with the conservation policy
Mr.. Ballinger said he must decline TO
discuss that phase of the situation. He
was prepared to assert his own position
and to furnish any facts which might be
desired regarding his administration.
Beyond that he could not go.
The Secretary was asked about reports
that the Forestry Bureau was furnishing
material for articles which misrepresent-
ed not only himself but the President
His only reply was that his conception Of
loyalty to his chief, the President, for
bsde any discussion of the activities of
any bureau outside the Interior Depart
ment.
He said he had made a careful STUDY
of the water power question. for the
purpose Of recommending such legisla
tion as will most effectively conserve its
use for the benefit of the general public
but added that it would hardly be proper
for him to anticipate his annual report
by outlining in detail the recommends
tions it would contain. It would deal
fully, however, with the proper use and
disposition OF coal, phosphate, oil and
other mineral deposits on the public do
main, as well as with water power con
servation. Mr. Ballinger said he believed
there were 100000 acres of phosphate
land in Wyoming and Idaho the product
OF which If it could be saved from eX-
ploitation would prove invaluable in in
creasing the fertility of American farms.
In the summer Secretary Ballinger
visited most of the irrigation projects,
comforting with users of water and set
tiers and with the government officers
in the field
MY observations and study" said the
Secretary, ''have inspired me with an
ambition to complete all existing prof.
Gets as rapidly as business prudence
and available funds will permit, and I
deem it the part of wisdom for Congress
10 authorize bond issue with a maxi
mum limit of not less than $10000,oG0
for this purpose. I wish, however, to
emphasize the fact that l am in hearty
accord with the Presidents view that
irrigation works should be undertaken
only where the conditions warrant the
regard to local or political considera-
tions. The President has said. Every
measure is to he adopted on the ground
that it will be useful for the whole
country and in that view / most hear
tily concur"
PRAISES RECLAMATION WORK.
Secretary Ballinger was enthusiastic
I'm his commendation Of the engineers
and snbordinates in the reclamation ser
vice. and spoke in glowing terms OF the
high type of construction and the dura-
hiIitv Of the work for which they arc re-
sponeible and OF their general efficiency
and integrity He added that he was
ambitious TO have the work prosecuted
with such dispatch as would enable the
government to appropriate and turn to
beneficial use the waters in Western
states which cannot generall-- be util-
ized by private enterprises.
Speaking of the Imperial Valley. Mr..
Ballinger said his department would be
readv to do what it could to facilitate
the establishment of a permanent water
eupplv for the people Of that section.
but a great deal of misunderstanding
existed regarding the attitude Of the de-
nartment, which has at present no con-
trol over or connection with the private
companies interested in the irrigation
systems which supply the valley.
A feature of the reclamation work to
which Mr. Ballinger has given serious
ytudv concerns the restraining of flood
,,otors and the protection of the great
.;,.or basins from destructive foods
secretary Ballinger visited number
- indian reservations. on which he
End variety of conditions He OK
,ssed himself as gravely dissatisfied
,,,tb the condition Of some of the Indian
.,,,ools notably that on the Little Color
"a, reservation, and declared his pur-
ee through the indian Commissioner,
thoroughly TO overhaul the field service
"a ia obtain greater efficiency of adj