The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-28
MR, BALL|NGER
 MAKES STATEMENT Outlines Policy in Matter of
 Conservation TO SAVE WATERPOWER
Declines to Discuss Alleged Differences Between Himself and Forester Pnchot-Sees Need for Inn
 provement in Indian Schools

Washington. October 27-Secretary Rich interior, who returned to Washington last night after an extensive tour of inspection of the public domain and interests In the far west under the jurisdiction of his de- partment gave out late today a state ment which is regarded as a declaration of his policy as to these matters.
 The statement is written in the third person and takes Up the various features of the work, devoting particular attention to reclamation and the subject of water power sites on the public domain. The secretary reiterates without fear of con- tradiction' the statement hitherto made in his behalf, that since his incumbency no water power sites on the public domain heretofore withdrawn have been secured by private parties, and that he has en- ergetically made every effort by tenn porary withdrawals to segregate existing power sites on the public domain in order to enable Congress to arrange for their more prudent disposition.
 The secretary declined today to discuss any phase of the controversy regarding conservation policies which has been de- scribed as existing between himself and Clifford Pinchot, the government forester. He made 1t plain that he will deal with the subject of conservation in his annual report, to which he will soon give atten- ton. He declares himself in hearty ac- cord with President Taft as to the under taking of irrigation work only where ha aihilifU uar pte ditures of the funds and independent of local or political considerations. Every measure is to be adopted on the ground that it will be useful for the whole coun- try
 Confidence is expressed by the secretary that when his attitude in regard to this subject is known to the public, both the people and Congress will be in hearty &C., cord with the administrative policies of the interior department in his department. In his report the secretary declares he will place special emphasis upon the right use and disposal of the coal and phos- phate, oil and other mineral deposits,
 water power sites and other important natural resources of the public domain. The activities of the department, the secretary declares. will also make ''afl aggressive and untiring effort to prevent the illegal and improper disposition of the public domain"
 The condition of some of the Indian schools inspected was described by the secretary as "a disgrace to the nation.'' He declared today that some of them were mere rattraps, foul with age and insanitary. He Is in full accord with the commissioner of Indian affairs in his at- tempt to overhaul the field service and secure greater efficiency and a more pro- nounced advancement of the Indians. Mir Ballinger is very emphatic in his commendation of the personnel of the engineers and subordinates in the recla- nation service, and notes the high type of construction and durability of the work on the various projects for which they are responsible as well as their general efficiency and integrity The secretary is desirous that the work shall be prose- cuted with such dispatch as to enable the government to avail itself of the ap- propriation and beneficial use of waters in the western states where large under takings may be availed of and which. he says, are generally not within the ability of private enterprise.