The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-09-24
TAFT BALLINGER, PINCHOT
AND THE ROOSEVELT POLICIES

es by regulation, proposes to exert in
tluence upon Congress to have the
changes made in the manner contem-
plated by the constitution. That will
be done with regard to questions of
forestry. irrigation, and other resources
of the West. In many instances efforts
will be made to get legislation along
the lines of regulations heretofore is
sued by one bureau or another; in 9TH
er instances, regulations which are
not believed to be proper are likely to
be entirely dropped
For instances, there is no law au-
thorizing the Secretary of the Interior
to issue certificates in payment to set
tiers who perform construction work
on government irrigation projects.
That the issuance of such certificates is
right and just is not questioned; Secre-
tary Ballinger is convinced that the
system is good one, perhtps with
notifications, but he wants it author
lied by law. Then, again, there is no
law authorizing the Forest Service to
impose charge for grazing privileges
within forest reserves; it is desirable
that Congress shall legislate on this
question, as well as on the question OF
fixing a charge for the use of water
powers and other resources within as
well as without forest reserves. And
so on through the whole category. The
aim of this administration is to get
from Congress such authority as is
necessary for carrying forward the
Roosevelt conservation policy, but be-
fore that policy can be effectively pro-
NOTED, the law must be changed.
President Taft will undertake no
small task when he endeavors to get
from Congress such legislation as he
deems necessary to legalize the con-
servation policy of his predecessor.
President Roosevelt failed, but perhaps
President Taft will be more successful
There was much antagonisnl 10 the
Roosevelt recommendations because
there was fear that he wanted too
much; President Taft being less radi-
cal, and having a persuasive way about
him, may succeed where Roosevelt
failed He will be aided in his efforts
by public opinion, which has become
thoroughly aroused as a result of the
| controversy between Secretary Bal
linger and Forester Pinchot. Eastern
Senators and Representative who
heretofore have shown little interest
in these problms, because they are not
directly affected, are likely to take
hold of the question next session, and
! lend hearty cooperation to the men
from the West who will lead the fight
for the adoption of the Presidents re-
concentrations.
Attaching the utmost Importance to
| this class of legislation, President Taft
is anxious to have full and reliable in
formation upon which to base his re-
concentrations to Congress. 1t was
for this reason that he sent Secretary
Ballinger into the West, for in him he
had a man familiar with western con-
ditions and the needs of the section,
as well as a man who is in no sense an
extremist. Being broad-mtnded and
unbiased and a westerner, the Presi-
dent knew he could expect from Bal
| linger more reliable reports and recon-
mendations than from any other mem
/ Der of his administration. Others, OF
/ course, will be consulted, and Secre-
! tary Ballinger's recommendations may
! be added to or subtracted from, as the
/ President himself shall determine, but
/ in Jye mStn the recommendations
which viii submit to the President will
meet with his endorsement, and will,
! by him. be sent to Congress with an
urgent recommendation that the desir-
ed changes be made in the various laws
affecting the use and control OF the
public domain.