The new era., 1910-09-15

st. Paul. Minn.. Sept. 6.-Speaking
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
be looked at from a new point of
view and accomplished by new meth
DDS 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
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 tho
world. We are efiicient probably to the
full-limit that any nation can attain by
the methods hitherto used. There IL great
reason to be proud of our achievements,
anu yet no reason to believe that we can
not excel our past. Through a practically
onrsstrainsd individualism, we have
reached pitch Of literary unexampled
material prosperity; although the distri-
button of this prosperity leaves much to
be desired from the standpoint of Justice
ana 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 the
rights Of individuals. in addition to using
the vast combined power of high organi-
xation and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development of corpo-
rate action, It IL true, 10 doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment Of our natural resources. but It
b not less responsible for waste, destruc-
ton. and monopoly on an equally gigantic
scals.
The method of reckless and uncon-
trolled private use and waste has done
for US all the good 1t ever can. and It is
time to put an end to It before 1t does all
tho evil 1t easily may. We have passed
the time when needless waste and de-
struction, and arrogant monopoly. are
any longer permissible. Henceforth we
must seek National efficiency by a new
and better way. by the way of the or
Aerfy development and use, coupled with
the preservation. Of our natural resources
by making the most Of what we have for
the benefit Of all Of US. instead of leaving
the sources Of material prosperity open
70 indiscrininate exploitation. These are
some Of the reasons why II II wise that
We should abandon the old point Of view.
and why conservation has become q pa
triotic duty.
Waterways Development.
One Of the greatest of our conservation
problems IL the wise and prompt develop
ment and use of the waterways of this
Nation. The Twin Cities. lying a. they
do at the headwaters Of the Mississippi.
are not upon the direct line OF the pro-
posed lakes to the gulf deep waterway.
prompt completion. Us well as in the
deepening and regulation Of the Missis-
sippi to the mouth Of the Missouri and to
the gulf. The project for a great trunk
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great
Lakes. should not be abandoned. Tho
lakes to the gulf deep waterway. and
the development Of the rivers which flow
into II, should be pushed to completion
vigorously and without delay.
In nearly every river city from st. Paul
TO the gulf the waterfront is controlled
by the railways. Nearly every artificial
waterway in the United States. either d.
rectiy or indirectly. is under the same
control. It goes without saying that (un-
less the pecrle prevent It In advanced the
railways will ATTEMPT to take control of
our waterways as fast as thev are i'm
proved and completed: nor would blame
them. II we, the people. are supine in tho
matter. We must see to It that adequate
terminals are provided in every city and
town on everv improved waterway. termi-
nails 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 SO the railway lines viii refuse to
deliver freight to the boat lines. either
openly or bv imposing prohibitorv cond'-
tions. and the WATERWAYS once improved
will do comparatively little for the bene-
Mt of the people who pay the bill.
Adequate terminals properly controlled
and open through lines nv rail @nd boat
are two absolutely essential conditions to
the usefulness of inland waterway devel-
opment. I believe furthermore that the
railways should be prohibited from own
ting. controlling. or carving anv interest
( the boat lines on our rivers. unless
tder the str'ctest regulation and control
| 4 the Inter State Commerce Commission.
10 that the shippers interests may be
fully protected
The National Forests.
II anv proof were needed that forest
protection Is National duty. the recent
destruction Of forests In the west bv fire
would supply 1t. Even with the aid of
the armv added to that of the forest
service the loss has been severe. With
out either 1t would have been vastly
greater.
But tho forest service does more than
protect the National forests against fire.
It makes them practically and increasing
ly useful as we'll. During the last year
for which have the figures the National
foreStS were useO DIV lZ.UUU CAttIemen
with their herds. 5.oo0 sheepmen with
their focks. 5000 timbermen with their
crews. and 1900 miners. More than
5000 persons used them for other special
industries. Nearly $4,000 settlers had
the free use of wood. The total resident
population of the National forests is
about a quarter OF a million which IL
larger than the population Of certain
states. More than 100000 acres of ag-
dcuitural land have been patented or
listed for patent within the forests and
the reports of the forest officers show
that more than 100000 people a year use
the forests for recreation. camping. hunt
ing. fishing. and similar purposes. All
this is done. of course. without injury to
the timber. which has a value of at least
a thousand million dollars. Moreover
the National forests protect the water
supply OF thousand cities and towns
about 500 irrigation projects. and more
than 800 power projects. not counting
the uaA of water fnr these and nfher Iour-