Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-01-28

maxleotinR for a time II need be, smaller
and less vital questions, shall concentrate
an effective part Of our attention upon
Che great material foundations OF ma
eional existence, progress, and prosperity.
saThe first OF all considerations Is the
permanent welfare Of our people, ana
true moral welfare. the highest form OF
welfare, can not permanently exist save
on a firm and lasting foundation OF mate
rial well-being In this respect our STU
alton IL far from satisfactory. AFTER
every possible allowance has been MADE
and when every hopeful indication has
been given its full weight, the facts Sun
give reason for grave concern. II would
be unworthy of our history and our IN
telligence, and disastrous to our future'
20 shut our eyes to these facts or at
tempt 10 laugh them out Of court. The
people should and will rightly demand
that the great fundamental questions
shall be given attention by their rep-
resentatives. do not advise hasty or III
considered action on disputed points but
I 40 urge, where the facts are known
where the public interest Is clear that
neither Indifference and inertia, nor nd
verse private interests, shall be allowed
to stand In the way OF the public gooG
''The great basic facts are already wei!
known We know that our population Is
now adding about one NTH TO its numbers
in ten years, and that by the middle q
the present century perhaps l50,OOl'0o
Americans. and by It's end very many
millions more. must be fed and clothed
from the products Of our soil,
1--WE know now that our rivers can and
should be made 10 serve our people eff
fectiyely IN transportation, but that the
for rttR
have not resulted In maintaining. mpHt
less in promoting, inland navigation
Therefore, let us take immediate steps t.
ascertain the reasons and to prepare ans
adopt comprehensive plan for inland
waterway navigation that will result u
giving the people the benefits for which
thew have paid but which they have no
vet received. We know now that our for
sstn are fast disappearing that less thar
one-nfth OF them are being conserved
and that no good purpose can be met h
failing 10 provide the relatively small
sums needed for the protection. use, an
Improvement Of all forests stu owned b,
the government, and to enact laws I
check the wasteful destruction OF the for
ests in private hands There are dsNe'
ences OF opinion as to many puohc cues
lions; but the American people stnN
n0ATIN
ment and for forest protection.
1--WE know now that our mineral n
aources once exhausted are gone fol
ever and that the needless waste Z
them costs us hundreds Of human 1--we
and nearly $500 100000 a year, Therefor
iet IA undertake without delay the II
Vestieatlons necessary before our peop
viii be In position. through state aetio
or otherwise. to put an end to this hrs
loss and waste, and conserve both o,
mineral resources and the lives OF u
men who take them from the earth.
ssThis administration has achieve
acme things; II has sought, hut rs
nat heen able 20 achieve, others;
mas doubtless made mistakes; but a
A has done or attempted has been
ths n..sgle . consistent effort 20 q
rura and enlarge the rights ana oppo
funlties OF the men and women OF Il
limited States. We are trying 20 col
-erve what Is good In our social ~
frm. and We are striving toward n
md when we endeavor 70 DO away wi
what Il bad. Success may BE- made q
hard for some II 4 r. made too eai
far othern. The rewards OF commi
indnrtry and thrift may Be too SIN,
N ~ rewards for others. and on q
whole itas valuable qualities
nefo TOO large. and especially II y
re-rrfr for Qualities which are real
fron ne public standpolnt unoesl
ahIa. are peruiiifd % oecome
farae. Our ain y ~ ar - po..'
~ provide nnch rondIt'rnl tlAt ~.
N - 1l1rI|tg rI 1<I1lIIN.tI VI.
E1It n .I11UI1 - t'-IsI Nt-it /.
.r'N I4t.