The Detroit times., 1910-01-14
'P|hCH0T Tells HOW
C0NGREsSsT0PPEO.
GREAT WORK
when Goal Was in Sight Appro-
priation Was REUSED With Which
To Pursue the Work." Says
Former Chief Forester.
Urges People in All Sections To Hold
Representatives in Congress Re
sponsible for Peoples Rights.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE state
ment which Clifford Pinchot promised
10 the people. defining his position on
the conservation question, was made
public last night. He says the great
moral issue that faces the country
is not the loss OF natural resources
SO much as whether special interests
or the people shall rule. His state
ment says In part:
"At this time | have no comment 10
make on recent events. Whether In
or out OF the government service, l
propose 10 stay in the tight for con-
servation and equal opportunity. Every
rSovement and measure. from what
ever source. that tends 10 advance
conservation and promote government
by men for human welfare. | shall try
TO help. Every movement and meas
nre from whatever source thar hinders
conservation and promotes govern
ment by money for profit shall en-
kdeavor TO oppose. The supreme test
OF governments and measures Is the
welfare OF the plain people. | am as
ready to support the administration
when IL moves toward this paramount
end az l am 70 oppose IL when it
moves away"
Pinchot expresses his regret al leav-
ing the forest service and pays tribute
TO the faithfulness and high quality
OF service rendered by the men with
whom he worked. Out OF the work OF
the forest service, he proceeds. grew
the conservation movement.
Deepest National Conviction"
To-day that movement expresses
one of our deepest national convic.
tions," he says, land the principles for
which II stands are received as axi-
omatic II is only the execution which
remains IN doubt
The great conference of governors
in the White House in May, 1907, led
TO the appointment OF the conservation
commission. whose report gave Us d
new conception OF the value OF ouI
natural resources. IL told us what ID
needed for their prompt and orderly
development and for their safety and
Iperpetuation.
1 Together with President Roose
velt's message transmitting its report
the recommendation of the commits
sion furnished a complete statement
OF the conservation policy. met oui
needs squarely and prescribed the
remedy They include definite and
practical recommendations for the pro
lection Of forests against fire and fo
Equitable forest taxation.
"The classification OF the public do
main was strongly urged and princi
pies for it's use and disposition wer'
laid down. The necessity for preserv
ing the fertility OF our soils and de
veloping the agricultural value b,
drainage and otherwise was covered
and particular attention was drawn tC
the needs OF OBTAINING our phosphate
lands, then in danger OF absorption
by a general syndicate"
Enemies Got Busy =
Pinchot then related the recommen
dations OF the conference. applaudine
and indorsing them all. In word.
| he said. the report Of the commits
sion and the message, taken together
set forth a comprehensive and definite
statement of the condition OF our nat
ural resources" Then he continued
AT this critical period. when the
goal was In sight. enemies OF conser
yatlOn In congress noe Oulg SuSNSOASN
in preventing an appropriation WITH
which 10 pursue the work. but attempt
ed TO forbid its progress by the Taw
ney amendment to the last sundry civi
bill. Thereupon the work OF the ma
t.onal conservation commission ~a'
stopped.
"The recommendations OF the COM
mission still wait for action. All wise
men will agree that the situation II
serious. The Tawney amendment wa
more than a mistake-it was delib
crate betrayal of the future. The
dangers which confront the conserva
ton movement TODAY must be met bl
positive action In congress. No actor
will be equivalent 10 bad action anC
will have the same results.
Unless congress acts the wate
powers will pass into the hands OF spe
cial interests without charge and with
out limit of time. So with the phos
phate deposits on public lands, whei
| the Withdrawals which now protec
them are removed. So with the enor