Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-09-29
ATTITUDE OF ADMINISTRATION
Many Newspapers, Says the Execu-
tive, Have Drawn Unfair Infer
ences--Piedgee to Roosevelt Policies
on conservation-Pian- Outlined is
Enthusiastically Received in Speech.
(By Associated Press).

to authorize the issuance of $4,000,
600 in bonds to complete irrigation
projects already begun in the west
and on which work has been stopped
nouncement made by the President
in a speech delivered here today on
the conservation of natural resources.
Enthusiastic cheering greeted the dec
laration.
The President declared that many
newspapers had drawn unfair infer
ences as to the attitude Of his admin
istration on thes general conservation
OF natural resources.
The truth is he said, my admin
istration is pledged to follow out the
policies of Mr.. Roosevelt in this regard,
and while the pledge does not involve
me in any obligation to carry them
out unless | have constitutional au-
thority to do so, it does require that
take every step TO exert every legi-
innate influence upon congress 10
enact the legislation which shall best
serve the purpose Indicated"
BaiIinaer and Pinchot Endorsed.
The President declared that Secre-
tary Of the Interior Ballnger was in
accord with him as TO the policy OF
promoting in a legitimate way tae
conservation of natural resources.
The President praised Chief Forest
er Pinchot for his wonderful work
for the conservation of the forests,
supported by Mr. Roosevelt"
President Taft declared as to wa
terpower sites that congress must au-
thorize the government to allot these
sites to private interests for develop
ment. the government retaining gen.
eral control and supervision. He de-
clared also that he would urge upon
congress the necessity of the classi-
fication of public lands to prevent the
difficulties of the past such as the set
ting aside of coal and mineral lands
as agricultural lands and vice versa
Mr.. Taft said in part: Il am going
to take up today the subject of con-
servation of our natural resources.
This has been given a very wide
scope. don't propose to cover the
whole ground today. ] shall ccnfine
my attention 10 those parts of the
policy which are certainly within the
Jurisdiction of the national govern
ment and especially concern the coun-
try west of the Missouri river.
Program Outlined.
81 -. Of
the natural forests; second. to the
reclamation of the arid and semi
arid lands by irrigation: third. TO the
disposition of water power sites upon
public lands with proper restrictions
upon the use, both in respect to the
compensation. its extent IN point OF
time and the adjustment of rates TO
be charged to the public by the bene-
fciary Of the grant: fourth. 70 the dis
position CT coal. oil and phosphate
lands owned by government with such
restrictions as will permit their de-
veIopment fer private profit. and yet
viii prevent monopoly and extortion
in the sale Of the products.
1T appears that the government
timer is only about one f~urth the
timber land owned by private indi-
viduals. and only three per cent Of
timber land owned By private indi-
vidaals is properly looked after. ac-
cording to modern methods Of forest
~. The destruction by FIRE Is esti-
mated 20 be $4,000 600 = year.
State Laws Needed.
IT would seem. therefore. smpcra-
tive that the states require some sys-
TEN Of Ere protection and the adop-
ton Of the best methods G. forestry.
IT would seem that the states have
a right 20 Do this because q the gen
cral interest which the public has IN
the preservation Of the forests and IN
IS eduaiizing Of the water supply and
ifs effect upcn the climate. The reg
uiaticn n The water supply. % course.
prevents erosion Of the soil. and the
wsstefui destruction q the best part
fCrrffran1 on Pre- T-hrpel