The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-09-29
President to Ask Congress for Issue of Bonds
5' to Finish Irrigation Projects
LONG ANTICIPATED CONSERVATION SPEECH DELIVERED
Chief Executive Takes Stand That While Administration Is
Pledged to Policies Of Roosevelt He is Not Obliged
to Act Without Authorization-Hs
Spokane Address

Spokane, Sept. 2S..-Prcsslent Tart
delivered here today his long-antici-
pated speech on the conservation of
natural resources and outlined the
Policy of his administration on this
subject of supreme Importance to all
the west. Mr.. Taft broadly took the
stand that while the present admin
q. istration is pledged to follow out the
policies of Mr.. Roosevelt, such a
pledge does not involve him in any obli-
CATION to carry out these policies
without congressional authorization.
The president added, however, that
he would take every step and exert
every influence upon congress to enact
legislation which shall best subserve
the purposes and requirements of the
situation.
Will Push Reclamation.
President Taft created great deal
of enthusiasm when he announced
that he would urge upon congress the
necessity of authorizing the secretary
of the interior to issue $l0.000.000 of
bonds for the completion of irrigation
projects in the west upon which
work has been suspended because of
lack of funds and the discovery that
the projectors. in their enthusiasm.
did not closely observe the limitations
of the reclamation act. Hardships
have been worked upon many settlers
through the suspension of work, and
Senator Borah of Idaho, and other
western senators and representatives
have urged upon the president that
bond issue was the only way by
which justice could be done.
Mr.. Taft declared today that con-
gress did not intend that the govern
ment should undertake projects which
could not be currently paid for out
of the proceeds of the sales of pub
lie lands. but added that he has been
impressed during his visit to the west
of the necessity for immediate re-
lief
1t was In Spokane little while ago
that the national irrigation congress
met and the Ballinger- Pinchot con-
troyersy arose. This controversy was
fostered by the friends and adherents
of the two officials. but not by the
officials themselves.
Secretary Bailinger was criticized by
former Governor Pardeo OF California.
and others in the congress. for having
recommended and secured the re-
opening for entry of lands containing
water power sites which had been
withdrawn by Mr.. Roosevelt. 1t was
asserted that water power trust"
had been formed to take up all of
these lands and that the strong con-
servation policy begun by Mr.. Pin
4chot. with the support of Mr.. Roose-
welt. had practically been abandoned.
Praises Both.
President Taft today gave credit to
both Mr.. Pinchot and to Mr.. Bailinger.
He referred to the wonderful work of
Mr., Pinchot and said that. while
that work had brought denunciation at
first, ii was now generally realized
that the reforms inaugurated by Mr..
Pinchot We're not only necessary. but
should have been begun 10 years ago.
The president defended the reopen
ing of lands by the present admin
istration as a compliance with ex-
listing laws and declared that Mr.
Ballinger's views are in strict ac~
cord with those of the administra-
ton and that he has been helpful
and will use his powerful influence
as secretary of the interior to sup
port the president in securing con-
gressional action that will put the
Roosevelt policy of conservation on
firm basis.
Mr.. Taft stated that the 1000. 600
acres of water power lands withdrawn
from general entry by the last all
ministration. has been reduced to
10000 acres under the present admin
istration. The latter number. however,
he pointed out. contain more ascer-
tanned power sites than did the orig
inal Withdrawals.
Only Temporary.
The president further stated that ii
must be understood that these With
drawals are only temporary, To per-
init congress to act upon a recon-
mendation he viii make that the gov
ernmeat be authorized to grant or
lease power sites to private concerns.
To be developed under general govern
ment control and supervision. II
congress fails to act upon this rec
ommendation. the president says he
knows of no way in which the with
drawn lands can much longer be
withheld from claims filed under the
general land laws.
Mr. Taft placed himself in appesi-
tion to the suggestion that settlers
should be allowed a longer term than
10 years in which TO repay the gov
ernment for water secured through
governmental irrigation projects, He
says a longer term would not con-
duce to thrift and would delay work
on additional projects which should
ba undertaken.
President Taft dictated his conser-