Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-05

Aggregates the enormous total OF more
than 81. OOo,op.O0 Is this not sufficient
TO arouse the entire nation and cause
such an era of reform as will put into
activity every agency and instrumentahty
for scientific and progressive methods OF
agricultural reconstruction?
We have the special honor OF enter
tanning and hearing the three truly great
men who have contributed so much to
the actual achievements of the conserva-
tion movement, and they are the three
most distinguished guests OF this con-
greSs. President Taft, Col. Roosevelt and
James j. Hill. Minnesota appreciates
the honor and will prove herself worthy
thereof. As her chief executive. 1 ear
nestly hope that the deliberations of this
congress may bring results far beyond
our hopes or expectations.
Nelson Reviews Land Laws.
Senator Knute Nelson OF Minnesota
prefaced a careful review of public land
acts by the statement that the natural
resources OF the country should be con-
served by the individual. the state and
the nation-the farmer his soil. the state
its lands, Its forests and its waters. and
the federal government the resources of
It's mines, its forests and its lands with
their appurtenances.
Mr.. Nelson spoke of the recent execu-
tive order OF President Taft Withdrawing
all coal lands in Alaska from location.
sale and entry. This withdrawal by
President Taft. he said. was no doubt
made in pursuance Of recent legislation
ny Congress and for the purpose of CIV
ing Congress an opportunity 10 enact
better and more suitable coal land laws
for Alaska than those now In force; and
that such legislation is urgently needed.
Praises Clifford Pinchot.
Abiding TO forest reserves. Senator
-. Il 80,
Clifford Pinchot He said that there was
no systematic effort 10 preserve the for
ests until 1891 and again in 1897.
Under this legislation nearly 200 mill
lion acres of public lands in various
states and territories. including Alaska,
have been withdrawn and set apart for
forestry purposes, and are now embraced
in our national forests: and their admin
istration and care have been placed on
q sound. workable and safe basis through
the initiation, prudence and wisdom OF
our great forester. MIR. Pinchot, who has
laid the foundation and is the father of
our forestry SYSTEM" he declared.
Came None Too Soon.
'This legislation and administrative
action came none too soon. Had there
been more delay. our timber lands would.
long before this, have passed into private
ownership and there would have been
nothing left for the government to con-
serve. No land legislation in recent times
has been productive of such benencent
and far-reaching blessing as our forestry
legislation.
While occasionally there has been a
little grumbling and friction on the part
OF settlers and cattlemen as to the adj
ministration OF the law in some OF its
details. yet IL can be fairly said. when ii
is borne In mind that IL is a new system
that has been initiated. that there has
been little, II any. valid ground for
serious criticism or complaint The con-
duct OF a few overzealous forest rangers
and or a few overstrenuous settlers and
cattlemen ought not to initiate against
the value and usefulness of the forestry
system as a whole and in its entirety"
The Presidents speech ut st. Paul
will he found In full elsewhere In The
star.