Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-23
DIFFERENT VIEW POINTS.

It IS rather hard for the average
Iowa, or,eastern man to understand the
difficulty between Pinc1not and Balm
ger. Pinchot seems TO have the right
of the question. He is following out the
policy of the Roosevelt adninistra-
ftaon and preventing the spectators
from fgobbIing upSwaterpower, valuable
Nands, Setc.,, that belong to- the public
domainstln doing this he will have the
support of.he people this side Of the
Missouri and Of a large number on the
other side of that river But it is well
to understand the viewpoint of the
far western business interests and Of
Ballinger who represents those inter-
ests and that viewpoint in the cabinet
OF President Taft
This viewpoint will be understood by
all who have pioneered into a new
country. Nothing illustrates 1t better
than an actual occurrence 1t was in
northern Illinois when fences were
less common than farms. A big grove
of natural timber furnished poles for
stxaw stables for the farmers on the
surrounding prairies. Every acre of
that timber was owned by some one
largely by non-residents, but when
load OF poles was needed the farmer
went after them and got them. Often
he got his winters fuel the same way
and at the same expense. One day an
eastern owner came out west to look
at his timber land. Fresh stumps were
in evidence and the trimmed" limbs
showed that it had been cut within
few hours. After measuring the stumps
he followed the trail of the wagons into
the farmyard of a highly respectable
and respected settler several miles
away. He was measuring the butts OF
logs when the farmer came out. Some
Der" ana then the indignant farmer
tirashed the eastern land owner with
in an inch of his life. and threw him
off the place. He sued for assault and
battery and TO recover for his timber
The indignant countryside rose. It had
always had timber from that grove. It
was not theft but custom. The suit
failed before jury and there was
pioneer talk Of pioneer justice" ad-
ministered with hickory sprouts. The
unfortunate owner hurried away, con-
vinced that he had fallen among
thieves. He hadn't. He had come TOO
sarly to settlement of excellent peo-
lie who resented the shutting up Of an
Id trail across the prairies by a new
omer who desired TO fence his farm.
who looked upon the groves and
springs and streams as open 10 who
ever got to there first and who respect
ed the assumed right of a souatter
above g deed held by nonresident
Somewhat of that spirit exists among
the westerners whom Balinger repre-
sents. Ballinger ought not 10 be in the
cabinet representing a section instead
OF the whole people but he is there ant
Dc doing that very thing. Their view.
point is his viewpoint. The domain i.
there. Why shouldn't the westerne,
get what he can out of #? He know!
and sees opportunity. Why silouldn'
he take it? If a company can be or.
ganized and q chunk of the public do.
main be assirnilated in way that vii
bring profit TO the western specuato
and promoter why not? Ballinger ant
the west have the viewpoint of III,
west, the pioneer point of view.
Pinchot's is the wider view He de
sires TO keep the public domain for tn
public. TO hold opportunity open to tn
homesteader and the little fish" an,
to keep away the sharks. His visio,
IS unnhscnred by business opportunit.
and he is undisturbed by the clanor O
influential men and interests in the ia
west. His is the correct position. Blu
Bal1inger is not to be classed as crook
ed because he holds another.
President Taft must umpire tn
game. It is up to him to be extremel
careful as to his decisions.