Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-30
TAFT LEAVES
FOR SEATTLE
TO SEE FAIR
PRESIDENT GETS WARM REcEP-
TloN AT NORTH YAKIMA; NOT
ABLE SPEECH ON coNsERvA-
TloN AT SPOKANE.

TiON AT SPOKANE.
North Yakima, Wash, Sept 30. -
Arriving here early this morning
President Taft was given warm re-
ception by a great crowd. A brief
speech during the forenoon and lunch
con with citizens at 1890 were the
features Of the day. The president
left at Las p. M, for Seattle.
Taft at Spokane.
Spokane, Wash, Sept. 2e--Taft de-
livered yesterday the anticipated
speech on the conservation Of natural
resources and outlined the administra-
tion's policy on the subject. The prasi-
dent took the stand that while the ad-
ministration was pledged to follow
the policies Of Roosevelt. such a. pledge
does not oblige him to carry out those
policies without congressional author
1zation. He added. he would take every
step and exert everv influence upon
congress to enact legislation which
best observe these purposes and the
requirements of the situation.
1t was here in Spokane that the
Ballinger- Pinchot controversy arose.
Yesterday Taft gave credit to both
P1nchot and Ballinger, and said while
Pinchofs work was denounced at
first. 1T was now realized that such re-
forms should should have begun ten
years ago. He defended the reopen
ing of lands by the present admins
tratfon In compliance with the existing
laws. Taft declared that Ballinger will
support the president in securing con-
gressional action that will put the
Roosevelt policy of conservation on a.
f1rmer basis.
Enthusiastic Exponent of Irritation.
Since his own eyes witnessed the
miracles wrought by the touch of wa
ter upon virgin land, the president has
been an enthusiastic exponent of ir-
rigation. Taft yesterday enjoyed a mo-
tor ride into Occur d .Alene, Idaho,
Where he made an address, and visited
Hayden Lake. Returning he left last
night for North Yakima. Washington
and Seattle =
What PLEDGE Requires.
Taft. In his speech on the conserva-
ton OF natural resources, declared
that the pledge made by his admin
istration to follow out the Roosevelt
conservation policies, required that
the president take every step, and ex-
ert every legitimate influence upon
congress toward securing legislation
which Will best subserye that purpose.
The president promised to recon-
mend TO congress the authorization of
s10O00o0 bonds to complete the ir-
rlgation projects whereon work had
ceased on account of lack of monry.
Ballingsr in Accord.
Taft asserted that Ballinger was in
accord with him as to the necessity
for promoting the conservation of re-
sources; he also praised Pinchot, re-
ferring to his wonderful work for the
conservation of forests, supported by
Roosevelt" AS to water power sites.
the president declared that congress
must authorize the government to al.
lot those to private interests for de-
velopment, the government retaining
general control and supervision He
said he would urge upon congress the
necessity for the classification of the
mineral and agricultural lands so as
To prevent some pest difficulties.
Concerning lrrination.
Concerning irrigation, the president
said:
No one can visit this western coun-
try without being overwhelmingly
convinced of the urgent necessity for
the irrigation of the arid lands. The
fact that the reclamation service has
gone ahead too fast ought not to
prevent congress from lending aid to
overcome the Cifficulty.
The irrigation work under private
auspices which Is being projected for
reclaiming millions of acres is most
encouraging. Examples of government
engineering ingenuity are Of immense
utility as models for private enter
prises.
"The chief object Of congress for
merly seemed to be to secure develop
ment by inducing people to acquire
public lands. Seemingly no thought
of conserving the resources occurred
to congress. l am not criticising con-
gress for this policy. 1 refer to 1t to
explain thei character of the statutes
now upon the sctatute books in refer
ence to the sale and disposition of
public lands. The needs of the coun-
try have developed so and the de-
mand so much increased, that to Sc
cure business-like disposition of the
public lands remaining there must be
authorized classification.
Water Power Sites.
AS to the water power sites there
has been such a change in conditions
that shall urge congress to enact
special provision in the public inter-
est for their transfer to private con-
troll. imposing restrictions equitable as
between the public and the investor.
The secretary of the interior now has
no power. however. to impose the
conditions suggested. Under the last
administrat ton four million acres
tlement in order to prevent the ac-
QUESTION of water power sites under
the general land laws. This amount
has been reduced under the present
administration to 100000. acres. The
Withdrawals We're temporarily made
to permit congress to legislate on the
subject.
1T seems wise in the disposition OF
coal and miner lands having agricul-
tural value, to separate that sur
face from the mineral contents. and
then either to lease the right to take
coal at a specified compensation or
to sell deposits outright The old lands
in California. the phosphate lands
and practically all the coal lands have
been withdrawn from settlement to
await the action of congress which !
viii recommend TO be on the lines in