The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-06-10
Borah Champions West
in Conservation Plan

Washington, June10:-''What We
want is a sane, practical conservation
policy, under reasonable regulation,
permitting the development of our nat
ural resources in accordance with the
natural laws of progress and indust-
rial growth" declared Senator Borah
in addressing the senate today during
consideration of conservation legisla-
ton.
Mr.. Borah spoke as the champion OF
the west. 1T would be a magnificent
scheme, indeed" he exclaimed, TO
compel the whole great west to hold
its vast resources in idleness, deprive
Tits people Of their enjoyment and use
and compel them to pay tribute to
those resources of which you have
taken possession here in the east and
developed at your own free will"
Contending that it was violation
of every principle of the constitution
to withhold power sites from the use
of the western states, Mr.. Borah in,
IQuired: IF Illinois or Massachusetts
Ireceives thousands or even millions
of dollars as a revenue for their water
lpower and Idaho receives nothing, but
on the other hand, pays millions into
the federal treasury, is there equality
among the states? He said the con
Itention that natural resources in a
state belonged to all the people of the
United States was all right in theory
but that in practice it was utterly un
ltrue.
"Our power sites do not in any sense
of the term belong to the people OF
New England or New York." eontinu
ed the senator. They are to be utiliz
ed by those who make themselves cit
liens of the state and join with others
in trying to build up commonwealth.
He argued that it never had been the
theory of the government that these
resources should be utilized as a rev
enue producing proposition but thai
they were for the benefit of all the
people. But" he said "the people
must come within the state in order
to avail themselves of the use ant
benefit"
Mr. Borah said congress could moi
promote conservation by treating
power sites, which to utilize was to
conserve, as it did coal beds, which
Ito utilize was to consume. AS to un
developed natural resources he sale
THAT after congress had adopted laws
Ito prevent waste, extravaganza ant
monopoly so as to insure their econ
ionic and bona fide use by the peo
lple, it was about as far as the United
Estates government could 60 He ad
lded that as to timber there always
lshould be the encouragement and ai(
of reforestation as that was something
that could be reproduced
Every water power site unused
locked UP in idleness and inactivity
when there are communities to serve
lis subtraction from the sum of hu
man happiness and prosperity" ht
continued. Every piece of land which
Twill produce the necessaries of lif,
dedicated by law to nonuse ,incorpor
lated in a reserve and denied to settle
ment, is an extra burden upon ever,
Imam who buys the necessaries of life
Every year in which thousands of fee
lof ripened lumber are permitted to ro
land fall in reserves you are stealing
lsomething from the human race tina
belongs to it, and every year that thu
lgreat coal beds of the Pacific slope q
lundeveloped it costs this goyernmen
Its extra millions to send coal arount
to the Pacific, burdens every citizen il
that part of the country with exorbi
Itant freight charges, and puts extri
millions into the hands of eastern Goa
companies who are delighted to Sc,
this go on"
| Economic use and development
should be the basic and Fundamental
principle of any conservation polio.
lagreed upon or incorporated into law
lco;d conoto~ Do~o1.
These resources are not to lie idle
imprisoned and unuseable,' he urged
| IF you join with us in that PROPOSE
ltion, we will gladly join you in formu
lating policy of regulation and con
ltrol which will avoid waste. extraya