New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
Mr.. BALLINGER'S RECOMMENDA-
TIONS

Secretary Ballinger's critics will hard
ly be able 10 find fault with the recon-
mendatiOns in his annual report lin re
gard 10 water power sites. The most
ardent cOnserVationist would not desire
90 go further than 10 preserve the title
of all power sites in the public lands
I'm the federal government. 10 grant only
an easement for a limited period 10 the
user of the power and 10 safeguard the
public further by requiring the entry
man 10 develop the power promptly and
by forbidding him under pain Of for
feiture of his rights to enter into any
combination 10 charge unreasonable
rates or 10 limit the supply of power.
With water power sites on federal lands
developed on these terms there need be
no fear Of the much discussed water
power trust" AT least SO far as the pub
lie domain is concerned.
The passage OF suc,I a law as Mr.. Bal
linger recommends is greatly TO be de-
sired, for without legislation the de
velOpment Of the power sites and of
similar natural resources in the public
domain is at a standstill. All the gov
ernment has been able TO do for cOnser-
walton and all il will be able 10 do I'M
der the present law is of a negative
character. II can withdraw. and has
withdrawn. power sites, mineral lands,
oil lands, etc, from entry. That is TO
say, ii has prevented their passing into
private ownership. For any constructive
policy that will permit and promote the
development of these resources in the
interests of the public legislation will be
required. and we think the sentiment OF
the country will insist OH the retention
Of the title 10 the power sites by the
government. as Mr.. Ballinger suggests.
As for other natural resources, Mr..
Ballinger has not worked out his rec
OmmendatiOn for legislation in such de-
tail as in the case of power sites. AS
regards coal lands, he thinks the right
to mine should be separated from the
title 10 the soil, 50 that entries on the
surface could be permitted which would
not carry title 10 the mineral wealth
beneath the surface. With regard to
mineral and oil deposits the Secretary
is not prepared to go SO far as TO rec
Ommend the retention OF title by the
government. as in the case Of water
power sites. He suggests that provision
be made for their lease or sale" Thor
oughgOing cOnservatiOnists will prob
ably hold that the title 10 these valuable
properties should be retained in the
public interest and that the right 10
work them should only be leased but
il Sta In, aAE pTx rhaT h..
policy Of conservation originally c0ntem-
plated. Withdrawals from entry were
originally made 10 prevent valuable
property from slipping into the hands OF
certain great corporations through de-
fectS in the present law without ade-
quate compensation 10 the public. The
sale Of mineral lands on proper terms
was probably all that was at first in
mind.
In regard 10 the disposition Of such
lands public opinion is not SO clearly
formed as in regard TO the disposition Of
water power sites. There is a well de-
fined determination against the aliena-
ton 10 private persons Of power sites i'm
the possession OF the public, but con-
cerning other natural resources the coun-
try has not made up its mind, though
there is probably an increasing disincli-
nation 10 the alienation of the other val
liable rights in the public domain. Public
interest in conservation is constantly
growing. and the positive indifference of
few years ago is likely TO be succeeded
by "A feeling Of intense jealousy and
watchfulness in respect 10 natural re-
sources still unappropriated. To the in
telligent direction Of this new feeling.
which was largely formed by his imne-
date predecessors, we believe that Mr.
Ballinger Will contribute in a notable
/ degree.