The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-09-29

eSehs 10 tnem 10 De the easiest way
out OF the difficulty and shall take
pleasure In recommending the passage
OF such fsmedial measures by the next
Congress.
No one can visit this Western
country without being overwhelming
~ convinced of the urgent necessity
Tor the proper treatment Of arid and
semi arid lands by the extension of
systems of Irrigation The results In
the productivity OF the soil when ir-
rfgated are maExeleas--
"One subject that Is now being
agitated In some quarters calls for
notice. Payment for irrigated lands
Is required in ten annual installments.
suggestions are now being made that
these should be heightened into a
longer term. / sincerely hope that
Congress will not listen to such ap-
peals. 1t may be we'll to make the
first three or four installments nomi-
nal. but after that time the INSTALL
ments should be large enough to pay
the total amount due. upon which no
interest is calculated. in ten years.
Another course will encourage lack
of thrift and industry and greatly
embarrass the extension and continu-
ance of irrigation.
when the government became pos
sessed of its public domain the chief
object OF Congress seemed to be to
secure development by inducing people
to settle on public lands and acquire
1t for themselves. Its generosity to
the Pacific railroads in offering the
public lands in such extensive grants
to them is an instance of the spirit
which actuated Congress thirty and
forty and fifty years ago.
Not Criticixing Congress.
Il am not criticising congress in the
slightest for this policy. 1t certain
ly was necessary to make extensive
grants to secure the construction of
a railroad which would unite the
Pacific coast with the Atlantic coast.
I merely refer to 1t In historical
way.
Never until now has adequate pro-
show what are mineral lands and
what are agricultural lands. With
respect to forest lands owned by the
public, they should be surveyed and
held by the government under the
regulation of the forestry bureau. per-
hitting a sale of such timber as shall
be necessary to the proper preserva-
ton of the forests. AS TO water
power sites, there has been such a
change In conditions that a special
provision should be made in the inter-
CSt Va thC paotiSp CVFCiihB thCik ans
fer to private control.
I'VE have reached time now when
the Importance of these wateR power
sites has greatly increased and there
would seem to be no reason why II
| should interfere with a speedy develop
ment of the country to impose restric-
lions upon the use of such water sites
equita BILE as between the public and
| the investor.
| tant that under the last administra-
tion large tracts of lands amounting
to upward of 100000 acres were
temporarily withdrawn from settle
ment in order to prevent the acquisi-
ton of water power sites under the
general land laws.
This amount has been reduced under
the present administration to 100000
acres. 1t should be understood that
these Withdrawals are temporary and
can be justified only as having been
made in order to permit Congress to
legislate on the subject of water power
sites"
Wants New Legislation.
Mr.. Taft said he would urge upon
Congress at its next session the pas
sage Of law authorizing the DISPOSE
ton of such water power sites, upon
terms to be agreed upon by the secre-
tary Of the interior.
ut seems wise." continued the
President "in the disposition of coal
lands and indeed of all mineral lands
having agricultural value. to separate
the surface of the land from its
mineral contents and then either to
lease the right to take coal from the
land at a specified compensation per
ton-that is, to provide a system of
royalties or to sell the deposits of
the land outright to the coal miner.
In every case restriction by way of
forfeiture ought to be included to pre-
vent monopoly of ownership. This is
the greatest object of a change in the
method of their disposition. I expect
to recommend to congress Legislation
on these lines. What, however, 1 wish
to make as plain as possible, Is that
these purposes cannot be accomplished
unless Congress shall act.
There has been a good deal of dis
cussion In the newspapers as to the
attitude of the present administration
toward the policy of conservation or
natural resources and some very un
| fair and altogether unfounded in
| ferences have been drawn. My al
ministration is pledged to follow out
the policies of Mr.. Roosevelt in this
regard and while that pledge does not
| involve me in any obligation to carry
them out unless Congress gives full
authority to do So 1t does require tina
| take every step and exert every
legitimate influence upon Congress T.
| enact legislation which shall sub
serve the purposes indicated.
Secretary Ballinger of the interior
| department. upon whom will fall the
duty of executing the new provision
of the law, Is in entire accord with me
as TO the necessity for promoting IN
every way the conservation of the r.
sources which I have named and he
can be counted upon to use the grea
influence which he must have as
secretary of the interior to this prope
end"
Busy Day in Spokane.
Arriving at $3.50 a. M. the Presideuf
breakfasted as the guest of the citl
zens. enjoyed an automobile ride o.
more than an hour about the city
made a brief address to a gathering
of grand army veterans and schooi
children. reviewed a military and civic
parade. lunched with the Chamber O.
Commerce. had a motor and trolley
ride into Occur de'Alene City, idaho
where he made a brief address, visite d
Hayden Lake. Idaho. enc of the show
bits of scenery in the INLAND en-
pire" and was served, with an all
game dinner at Bozanta Inn. across
the Idaho line. and returning to the
city at $3.50 left for North Yakima.
Washington, where he will arrive early
tomorrow morning.
From North Yakima the President
will go direct to Seattle. reaching there
at Sis tomorrow night to pass two
days in and about the Alaska Yukon-
Pacific Exposition.