New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-24
ENFALR CRITLCLSlL.


Said Judge Cornelius H. Sanford, of Seattle.
recently in an address in which he severely
criticised the policy of conserving natural re-
sources:
In our state the reservations comprise more
than 81 per cent of its total area, into which no
hOmesteader dares to set his foot. The water
runs down our mountains and most of it flows
idly to the sea. without turning a wheel. but to
prevent grabbers from acquiring vested rights
the theorists insist that II must keep on flowing
idly until II be made to yield tribute TO the
national Treasury perpetually, as the agents Of
the government shall dictate.
In this brief paragraph Judge Sanford con-
densed two important Measurements of the
conservation policy. First any wOudbe set
tier who finds land more suitable for cultiva-
ton than for forestry in a forest reservation is
entitled by law to enter a homestead claim
thereon and need find no difficulty In securing
a patent when he has complied with the proper
conditions. In the second place the conserva-
ton theorists" do not insist that the streams
must flow idly to the sea until they can be
made to yield tribute to the national Treas
Jury" Judge Sanford should appreciate that
such loosely drawn indictments can serve only
TO impugn the testimony and thus to weaken
the cause of those who oppose the policy of
conservation, if such there be- and of the nu-
mcrous opponents of the methods of those
charged with the administration of the cOnser-
walton policy.
Under the law settlers may. as has been said,
acquire homcsteads within the forest reServa-
tions Ii is commonly charged, however, that
the attitude of the members of the Forest Ser
vice is SO antagOnistic to would-be settlers on
the reservations as practically TO nuiy the
law. Ii this charge be true, the fault IS in
the method, not the policy. and is doubtless due
to the fact that excessive zeal has displaced
discretion If Judge Sanford and his friends
can establish the contention that in effect the
conservators of the national forests are de-
featng the intent of the law they can easily
secure remedy. but they will only Hamper
their own efforts by attacking the policy with
Misrepresentation.
Equally unfair is the statement that the con-
servationists would suspend the development
of water power until it could be made TO pay
tribute" to the national Treasury, although the
assertion is literally true. The conservationlsts
would suspend the requirement of water
power, which is essentially IA natural monop-
oily by private owners until Congress shall have
provided by legislation for some form of limited
title under which the power may he developed
and utilized. but by which the ultimate title
shall reside in the government so that when
the development Of the country shall have
greatly enhanced the value of the power the
community may share in that Increased value
which it has itself created, and so also that
future generations may be in IA position to
make such disposition Of such power as the
conditions ond the necessities then existing
may dictate
because he powers or the federal govern
ment are considerably limited. 1t Is proposed to
utilize the taxing power az hns been done In
many other methods of regulation. and to col
lect from those who acquire water power a