The San Francisco call., 1909-10-02
PINCHOT SAYS
TRUST WANTS
WATER POWER
Points Out Danger of Monopoly
GobbIing Up the Nations
Natural Resources
Chief Forester Declares Rene
dial Legislation Needed to
Protect People

WASHINGTON. oct. 1.-Unequivo-
cally asserting that a monopoly was
being formed with the object of OBJ
tanning possession Of water power sites
Of the country. Clifford Pinchot chief
of the bureau Of foresty. who returned
today from an extended inspection Of
the west: declared remedial legislation
must be enacted az the coming session
- congress IL this great natural re-
source was TO be preserved 10 the
people.
The problem Of how best TO prevent
p the nations water sites being gobbled
UP by such combinations, Pinchot pre-
dicted. would be one of the biggest
issues before congress. The supposed
trust was now in the formative state,
Pinchot declared, and prompt action by
congress 3 as necessary to throttle It.
MUST PROTECT FUEL SUPPLY
Another big problem confronting
congress will be the disposition of vast
areas Of coal lands in the west, prin-
.cipallv in Alaska. 1t was important
that congress should take prompt ac-
tion on this important matter Pinchot
said. for the protection of the coun-
try's fuel supply and also 10 prevent
monopoly in that product
ANY doubt as to whether Plnchot
would continue to advocate the policies
for which he has fought so hard was
set al rest by him today.
AS a result Of his western tour he is
as fully determined as ever TO continue
his. policies regarding the conservation
Of the country's natural resources and
2 "a He
declared President Taft was thorough
ly imbued with the conservation move
ment. and that the people were more
aroused tkan ever.
President Taft. Pinchot said, had eX-
pressed himself in favor OF a conserva-
ton commission and added that he
3PinchOt) was always in favor of that
suggestion.
NOT GOING TO RESIGN
One subject only did Pinchot decline
70 discuss That related TO the so called
BaIlinger- -Pinchot controversy over the
conservation question. That he has no
intention of relinqy1ishing his position
as chief forester as the result Of that
incident was reiterated when he de-
clared emphatically, Il am not going
TO resign"
After declaring that there is a
water power trust certainly in the
process Of formation Pinchot said:
In my judgment, the tendency to
consolidate, which is now running
through all industrial enterprises. will
necessarily lead to the consolidation
Of the water power interests exactly
as Il has to consolidation of steel and
oil interests. There has got to be legis-
latiOn on this water power business.
President Taft has indicated his in
tentiOn Of asking congress for legis-
iation for governing, as 1 understand
Il, the disposal Of water power sites
on the public domain: so that the whole
water power question naturally will
be taken up before congress. Are we
going TO give these power sites in per-
petuity? is question with which con-
gress viii nave TO deaL"
CAN CONTROL MONOPOLY
rs it possible to head;on this trust?"
Pinchot was asked.
The government can not probably
prevent the formation of such a mo-
nopoly." he replied. but il can control
IT, 1 regard this matter as one of the
most important questions with which
congress viii have to deal"
PinchOt said he had never seen the
forests in a more satisfactory condi-
ton. The personnel of the service is
OF high standard and the district
plan Of organization in operation since
December last is in admirable condi-
tion.
Pinchot said the recent trip Of Sec
retary Wilson through the west had
had an admirable effect in fostering
conservation sentiment.
1t developed the fact" said he, that
the people in places where the most
complaints came from are strongly in
favor OF conditions in the forests. pub
lie sentiment is rapidly becoming
unanimous in favor of the forest serv-
ice work
WILL CONTINUE WORK
Our receipts from the sale of lumber
and from grazing are increasing. There
have been fewer fires this year than
ever and we do have them under better
control"
Have you anything to say on the
question OF conservation" Pinchot was
asked
Yes I have" he replied. Ct wish
10 announce that ] have come back to
continue my work in conservation and
forestry without change in either pol
icy
Pinchot viii remain here a few days
when he viii go to st. Louis to meet
President Taft and accompany him on
his river trip to New Orleans.