Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-19

from the state Of Washington. and yet
the strongest supporters of that policy
today were the very men who had been
the most hostile.
serve that 1t was the loudest In its pro-
tests against the reservation" he said,
"but the very lumbermen and Others who
uttered the protests are here today at
tending the first national convention of
the conservationists and cordially sup
porting the very policy they recently con
demned: and it adds to the historical
and political aspect OF this convention.
Let me say good word for the lumber
men. however. II will not say that they
all kicked against the reserves, and l
want to give them credit for the manner
in which they are uniting in support of
the forest service
During that day Mr.. Pinchot met the
members of the Pacific Coast Lumber
Association for the first time, and was
the subject of eulogy by every speaker
The meeting went off like a love feast
from the start, and the lumbermen who
had denounced him most bitterly in the
past gave him the highest commentator
The, change in public sentiment concern
ing the forest reserve system and the
general conservation policy of the adj
ministration in this section is one of the
most remarkable that ever occurred in
says it is solely because the people most
interested have come to understand the
objects and the intentions of the govern
ment, and are convinced that their in
terests are not only being protected, but
are being promoted wisely and efficiently.
However that may be, and whatever the
cause. Clifford Pinchot is today the most
popular member Of the administration In
this part of the country. AS the secre-
tary of the Pacific Coast Lumber Asso-
citation remarked, "he can have ANYTHING
he wants."
Action Of the Convention.
The conservation convention. of
course, Endorsed Pinchot and the forest
service with cheers. 1t Endorsed the
reclamation service with equal enthusi-
asm and passed the following resolu-
ton concerning the conservation of
water power:
I'VE urge upon the states the enact
ment of comprehensive water laws,
framed in accordance with the policy
pursued in several western states dur
ing recent years, Incorporating the
principle that the waters belong to the
people. We hold this right of the PEG.
pie to be inherent. Recognizing the
necessity of administering this invalu-
able possession for the people, we deny
the right of state or federal govern
ments to ALLEVIATE or convey water By
granting franchises for the use there
in perpetuity. or without just compen-
sation in the interests of the people.
I'VE hold that all natural resources
belong primarily TO the whole people
and should not be alienated by mu :
nicipal. state or national grants or
franchises to individuals or corpora
tions except.for limited periods
The convention organized the Ma
tional Conservation Congress and Sc
lected Mr.. Bernard M. Baker of Balti-
more as president, Mr.. L. F. Brown of
Seattle as secretary. with Mr.. j. d.
White of Missouri and a number OF
other gentlemen as an executive COIN :
mittee. 1t was determined to hold a
second national convention next year
at such place and time as the executive
committee should decide.
The net result of the convention was
to secure hearty Endorsement of the
forest service and the conservation
poncy OF the administration from the
section where the greatest opposition
was expected.