The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1909-10-16
FRIENDS OF
CONSERVATION,
League Launched to Save Re-
sources of the Nation.
TAFT APPROVES or ITS AIMS.

tHT AT nOvCo VI 10 Hi"S'
President Joins National Association
Of Which Charles W. Eliot 10 Head.
Preservation Of Human Efficiency as
Well ~ Of Forests, Water and Mines
Urged.
With President Taft's name among
the first on its roll Of members and
with fixed and radical policy with
regard to the granting Of water power
rights announced. new conservation
league has been launched at Chicago
looking to the care of all natural re-
sources OF the nation and taking
definite stand as to projects of con-
servation already under way.
The formation Of the new body
which is known as, the National Con-
servation association. was recently
made public by Walter l.. Fisher after
he had received in letter from Presi-
dent Taft permission to place the exec
utive's name in the list Of members.
President Taft's acceptance of mem.
bership is considered by the organizers
as the placing of his stamp of approval
on the declaration Of principles incor-
porated in the constitution Of the asso-
citation.
Eliot Is President.
Former President Charles w. Eliot
Of Harvard university is the executive
head Of the new league. and Mr.. Fisher
Is member Of the executive commit
tee. The final steps toward organiza-
ton were taken in the latter part OF
! July at Cambridge, Mass. but the fact
was not made public until President
! Taft consented to become member,
| The membership in the new league Is
! to be composed OF individuals. while
membership in the organization OF last
year was limited to associations.
! The most radical recommendations In
! the declaration of principles are those
applying to grants Of water power.
which are:
The incorporation into all future grants
/ OF water power rights by state or nation
4 Of provisions to secure the following:
! (a) Prompt development on pain of for
| fixture Of the grant.
! ~ Payment of reasonable compensation
for the benefits granted by the people.
with periodic REIMBURSEMENT of the rates OF
| compensation, so as to insure justice both
| to the investor and to the public.
(c) The limitation Of all such grants to
periods not exceeding fifty years and res
ervation OF the right to terminate and re-
| <ho INF for vrnya
upon equitable compensation. together
with proper inspection and publicity of
records and accounts
! ID Recognition of the right of the ap-
propriate public authorities to make rea-
sonable regulations as TO rates and serv-
ice
The termination of al, existing permits
or grants for the development of water
power and the substitution of rev grants
involving the foregoing principles as soon
as may be consistent with the terms OF
the existing grants.
The support and extension of the irri-
CATION of arid lands and the drainage OF
swamp and overflow lands
Mr. Fisher said the plan which had
been discussed in 1908 was outlined
largely by President Roosevelt.
The purpose of the organization as
announced is to unite in one great ma
tional organiza ton all those who de-
sire to give their personal influence
and support to the movement. Its OBJ
ject Is to advocate the adoption Of
definite measures to carry into effect
3 the principles set forth. Each STATE
and territory shall be represented II
! the board OF managers.
=
Principles Of Association.
!. The statement Of principles declares
, 1t to be of the utmost Importance tina
, the natural resources Of the ma
ton shall be developed and utilizet
for the promotion Of the public wei
. fare without waste, destruction o
] needless impairment and subject al
ways to their intelligent conservation
I. and consequent preservation Of tn
/ rights and interests Of future genera
! lions. The first portion Of the state
+ ment is repetition Of the declare
: ton adopted by the conference Of go,
g ernors convened by the president q
& the White House in May, 1908.
In addition to the policy concernin
the water powers the policy Of the n'
ISOLATION includes:
: The directing of public attention to Il
need for preserving the fertility Of II
y soils.
L Tho enactment Of legislation whereof
h the title to the surface Of public lan(
: and to the minerals below the surfa,
y shall be granted separately.
Z: The protection OF the source waters
4 IL - -