Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-01-14
TAFT'S CONSERVA-
TON MESSAGE
Save Coal and Power Sites and
Pass BOrah's Bond Bill

President Taft sent TO congress to-
day his message urging the Immedi-
ate consideration OF conservation leg
islatlon without waiting for the re-
suit OF the investigation OF the
against the interior depart
ment and Secretary Ballnger. Ths
president states that his proposals
are really an epitome or the recon-
mendations made by Secretary Bal
linger and incorporate his ideas OF
what should be done.
Save Public Resources.
The message says that the early
ideas Of this country were TO give
away all Of the public lands Of the
United States, but that there had de-
veloped In recent years deep concern
in the public mind. representing the
preservation and proper use OF our
natural resources. The problem Is.
according to the message. how to
save and how best TO conserve and
prevent the waste OF the natural re-
sources and nature gifts to man
for the common good and for the
generations yet unborn.
Praise for Roosevelt.
Among the most noteworthy OF
the initial efforts" says the presi-
dent, were those OF my distinguish
ed predecessor. whose vigorous pros
eeution OF land frauds resulted in
bringing public attention to the ne.
cessity for preserving the public do
main from further speculation" The
president declares that Secretary
Ballinger, since he has been In office
has ordered the withdrawal OF water
power sites on 102 streams, covering
228 per cent more streams thar
were covered before that date. Hi
says that the power Of the secretar,
to make such Withdrawals OF public
lands Is not now either definite a
satisfactory and 1t low seems to b,
the duty OF congress to by statut,
validate the Withdrawals that hay,
already been made by the aecretar!
OF the interior and that the Law
should authorize the secretary Il
withdraw lands pending submission
to congress OF recommendation a
to legislation to meet conditions o
an emergency. He recommends tina
surface and subsurfaee rights b
separated. and to allow entry unde
the homestead laws OF surface. an
the retention by the government 0
coal or other mineral deposits be
meath public lands. He suggest
that mining coal be allowed on roy
! atty basis, requiring a certain amour
OF development annually.
Cautious ON Water Rights.
The president says that he will &c
go into discussion over whethe
the water rights OF the streams fiov
ing through the government Ian
; belongs TO federal or state govern
ment for disposition. but express'
the belief that the federal govern
ment. through ownership, can In
pose restrictions. and recommend
= that all water sites be disposed OF
such q way as to prevent their unio
: for monopoly, with limitations II
i the right TO use for q term of
y years and provisions fixing renew
i terms.
L The executive did not touch {
e the question OF regulatiye rates u
der which the privileges for deyelo
ing and promoting the natural resou
ees should be made. He recommen
d continuation Of the investig
10 ton OF means for the eonss
II walton OF soils being CARR
h on BY the department Of agTicultuI
lg and criticized the reclamation 81
te vice. saying that some projects
s, the west are likely to fan beeau
lie OF the lack OF lake water, and n
y too many projects are set on foot
In the amount Of money that Is on ha
for carrying them on. He also 81
that settlers who have intended
take up supposedly reclaimed Ian
=. now ind that they have no water
nj Recommended BOrah's Plan.
Ie. The president recommends the
K. suing Of bonds from time to time
ey to exceed $40. o0o 900 to provide
'ly the completion OF these projects.
ZEE