The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-19
James R, Garfield Discusses Conservation Before
 Denver Citizens
PRESIDENT ROOSEvELT'S
 COURSE IS DEFENDED
terests Are Developing and Using Water Power and Ignore
 the Peoples Rights

Denver, April 1S.-Before the Col orado conservative commission James E. Garfield tonight deplored the ten dency of centralization by corporation trusts in affairs of municipalities with local application to the water fight of the citizens.
 MT. Garfield pointed out the dangers of monopolization of the water power sites of tho country and declared that If "water power trust' was not all ready in actual existence. that all of the clements that go to make up such q trust are present and the tendency toward such centralization is growing stronger every day. He defended the course of President Roosevelt in mak ing use Of a broad executive auth or ity and making withdrawals of water power sites, and sought to show by quotations from the constitution and from decisions of Chief Justice Mar shal that the executive of the nation was fully empowered to conserve such public interests under the broad rule of the general welfare
 "In brief" said MT. Garfield, "the conditions is this: The federal gov ernment owns property essential for the deyelopment of water power. The states control tho use of water with in their respective boundaries. In or der to bring together these two ele- ments that are necessary for water power development the Jurisdiction of cfo chA fa
 "The private interests who are de- veloping and using water ignore, of necessity, state lines. and nothing will ba moro acceptable to these inter ests that to have the federal gov ernment withdraw from all attempt to control their transactions.
 Exercise of Control
 "Again, unles sthe federal govern ment retains and exercises such con- trol. the interests of the people of one state may be seriously affected.
 "The use of water" continued Mr. Garfield. lis one of the immediate and most important of all conservation problems. It is necessary, therefore, to have a clear understanding of this problem.
 "During the last 10 years the great possibilities for the use of waters have been appreciated. Everywhere private interests are attempting to gain con- trol of vantage points for development. The fight is on. in nation and states The question is simply this: Shall the public control and regulate the use of water in accordance with the needs of the public and for the benefit of the eh .rfx, Y..k
 and control the use of water for it's own gain.. without regard to the rights and needs of the public. It is certain that an tntolerable water monopoly will be fastened upon our people un- less the public In both nation and state asserts It's authority and control of the use of the water.
 Use of Water Power
 The use of water for the development or power, for storage, and for irrigation means, Of necessity, exclusive use in par- ticular places and such exclusive use is readily turned into oppressive monopoly. unless regulated by the public. It is not enough to deny that water trust exists today. All the clements that go to make up such trust are In existence and the tendency towards such standardization grows stronger day by day.
 The conservation of water applies to all of it's uses. There are those who at tack conseryation, alleging that conser- vation means non-use, non-development but no such proposition has been put for ward by ths leaders of the conservation movement As defined over and over again it means the jwise use and de- veiopment of water flor domestic pur- poses, irrigation, water power and nayi- gation in accordance with the needs of I0 art tfnr, 1x..k x-.l&t gard for the. future and under control of public authority.
 Dealing With Problem
 During the past few days both nation and state have been attempting to deal with this problem. In many minds there seems to be | necessary conflict between these 1urisdie1ions, but such is not the case. There 1A 1Sties upon both nation and states. ThereS is work enough for ail' and there is a common ground for cooperative control and regulation.
 rne great danger which threatens our fedeial and state governments today" exclaimed MT. sGarfieid, .'is that splints may unduly or unfairly dominate legis- lative action. It is not just to arraign individual or special interests alone for this condition. We must likewise con- as people hav4 been too busy making money to give proper heed and attention to the actions of our legislative represen- tatives. We have been willing to calm ly sit by and see great property rights. great special privileges granted to pri- vate interests and individuals without re- gard to the public welfare
 There was great latitude for executive action within the law, he said.
 Ut is part of the executive duty to keen within the law" said MT. Garfield Tt is further and equally great duty to make the law an instrument to promote the public good rather than an excuse for inaction."
 Use of Executive Power.
 The speakers reference to the use of oxecptive power was significant.
 During these periods" he said, when the chief executives acted upon the broad conception of their power. the people, s interest and the public welfare have ! been better safeguarded and protected than during the periods when the oppo- site prevailed. The narrow interpretation Ia the ono that private interests and spe- sial Qyivilege find best suited to their