Gilpin observer., 1910-09-08


on National Efficiency" before the
conservation congress today. former
President Roosevelt impressed on
his hearers the fact that conservation
has become a national duty and must
lbe looked at from new point of
view and accomplished by new meth
ods Of developing and using the nat
ural resources Of the country. His
address was the feature Of the days
program and was listened to by
throng that tested the capacity of the
hall and that frequently applauded
the colonel's vigorous language. The
address in full was as follows:
Americas reputation for efficiency
stands deservedy high throughout the
world. We are eficient probably to the
eull-linit that any nation can attain by
The methods hitherto used. There IL great
reason to be proud of our achievements.
and yet no reason to believe that we can
not excel our past. Through . practically
1nrsstrained individualism. we have
reached q pitch of literary unexampled
material prosperity: although the djstri-
button Of this prosperity leaves much to
os desired from the standpoint of Justice
and fair dealing. But we have not only
allowed the individual . free hand which
was In the main right; we have also al
lowed great corporations to act as though
they were individuals. and to exercise tho
rights of individuals. in addition to using
the vast combined power of high organi-
sadon and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development Of corpo-
rate action. It IL true. IL doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment Of our natural resources. but II
- not less responsible for waste. destruc-
don. and monopoly on an equally gigantic
scale.
The method Of reckless and uncon-
erolled private use and waste has done
for us all the good II ever can. and II II
time to put an end to II before II does all
the evil It easily may. We have passed
the time when needless waste and de-
struction. and arrogant monopoly.
any longer permissible Henceforth we
must seek National efficiency by q new
and better way. by the way of tho or
derly development and use. coupled with
the preservation. OF our natural resources
BY making the most of what We have for
the beneht Of all of u.s. instead of leaving
shs sources of material prosperity open
70 indiscrtminate exploitation. These are
some Of the reasons why II Is wise that
We should abandon the old point OF view.
and why conservation has become a pa
triotic duty.
Waterways Development.
One Of the greatest of our conservation
nent and use of the waterways of this
Nation. The Twin cities. lying as they
do At the headwaters of the Mississippi.
are not upon the direct line OF the pro-
posed lakes to the gulf deep waterway.
Yet they are deeply interested in It's
prompt completion. well as in the
deepening and regulation of the Missis-
sippi to the mouth of the Missouri and to
tho Eulf. The project for a great trunk
waterway. an arm of the sea. extending
from the Gulf of Mexico TO the Great
Lakes. should not he abandoned. The
the development Of the rivers which flow
into II. should be nushed to completion
vigorously and without delay.
In nearly every river city from ST. Paul
TO the gulf the waterfront IL controlled
by the RAILWAYS. Nearly every artificial
waterway in the United States. either d.
rectly Indirectly. 10 under the same
control. II eoes without saying that tun-
less the peorle prevent II In advance) the
RAILWAYS will attempt TO take control OF
our waterways as fast as thew are i'm
proved and completed: nor would blame
them. n we. the people. are supine in the
matter. We must see to II that adequate
terminals are provided in every city and
town on every improved waterway. termi-
oals open under reasonable conditions TO
the use of every citizen and rigidly pro-
tected AGAINST monopoly: and we must
compel the RAILWAYS TO cooperate with
the waterways continuously. effectively
and under reasonable conditions. Unless
We do 80 the railway lines will refuse to
deliver freight to the boat lines. either
openly or bv imposing prohib'torv condi-
tions. and the WATERWAYS once improved
will do comparatively little for the bene-
fit of the people who paw the bill
Adequate terminals property controlled
and omen through lines nv rail --d boat
are two absolutely essential conditions to
Hha S,tl ~ t1Ia
opment. I believe furth-rmore that tho
railways should be prohibited from, own
ing. cortro'l're. or carving anv interest
in the boat lines on our rivers. unless
under the str'ctest regulation and control
of the Interstate Commerce Commission,
that the shippers interests may be
fully protected
The National Forests.
II anv proof were needed that forest
protection is'a National duty. the recent
destruction NJ forests In the west bv fire
would supply II. Even with the aid Of
the armv added to that of the forest
service the loss hs. been severe. with
out either II would have been vastly
greater.
But tho forest service does moro than
protect the National forests against nre
1t makes them practically and increasing
" useful As well. During the last year
for which have the figures the National
forests were used Nv %. 900 cattiemen
with their herds, 5.ooo sheepmen with
their nocts. E mn timbermen with their
crews and 1900 miners More than
500 persons used them for other special
industries. Nearly sooo settlers had
the free use Of wood. The total resident
population of the National forests IL
about quarter OF a million, which IN
larger than the population OF certain
states. More than 100000 acres Of ag-
rfculturnl land have been patented or
liated for patent within Tho fora.t. go
the reports Of the forest Officers show
that more than <o0.oo0 people a year use
the forests for recreation. camping. hunt
ing. fishing. and similar purposes. All
this IA done. NJ course. without injury to
the timber, which has value OF at least
a Thousand million dollars. Moreover.
the National forests protect the water
supply Of thousand cities and towns,
about so irrigation projects. and more
than 800 power protects, not counting