Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-13
B .LLINCERO CONSERVATION
Says Only Real Work Has Been Done
by This Administration.
WILD THEORIES ARE DENOUNCED
Plans of the Faddists and Fanatics
I'm Their Last Analysis Simply
Mean Government own
ershfp.

PORTLAND, Ore, Aug. 12.-Secretary of
the Interior Richard A. Ballinger. who was
the guest of honor today at a MONDAY
luncheon given by the Commercial club,
addressed his hearers on the subject of
conservation.
What is there about 1t that calls for
excitement, bitterness of spirit or conten-
tion?' said Secretary Ballnger Nothing.
The explanation of popular excitement is
in the fact that many people have been led
to believe that conservation holds the Sc
cret of our national well being. The dema-
gogue, the fanatic, the sentimentalist the
faddist are crusading under the banner of
conservation mainly because 1t is popular
and holds the attention OF the hour. Their
energies might be equally employed on any
other human virtue with the same argu-
ment, but such reformers are more like
torrents generally doing more damage by
floods than by the steady flow of the
stream.
Beyond the matter of agitation what
has the doctrinalre accomplished. unless 1t
be the hyseria of conservation? Has he
suggested any practical methods by way of
legislation for disposing of the remainder
of the public lands as to give the public
better safeguards against existing abuses?
made in this direction has been enacted
by the last congress as the result of recon-
mendation initiated by this administration" I"
Mean Government Ownership.
Secretary Ballinger said that conservation
theories in their last analysis mean govern
ment ownership and operation He said
they proceed on the theory that the states
were not to be trusted to take care of their
natural resources. He said that because
some states had been wasteful or their
officers corrupt 1t did not follow that no
state could safely manage its own affairs
in this particular.
He said that in view OF the fact that the
states control and own water for develop
ment. 1t would seem that the most feasible
and practical method would be to transfer
these sites to the states under proper hmi-
tations to prevent Injurious monopoly.
Taking up the subject of Alaska coal
lands, he called attention to the fact that
with 100 square miles of known area,
containing an estimate amount of fifteen
billion tons. some OF the very best quality,
Alaska buys most Of its coal from British
Columbia and the United States navy on
the Pacific obtains IT'S coal from the Poca-
hontas fields of West Virginia at a cost
to the government OF 81 a ton, of which
s. per ton is represented by the freight
charges. If the mines OF Alaska were in
operation coal could be laid down at Port
land at from So to 81 per ton.
objects 10 Withholding Land.
Secretary Ballinger declared he was OPP
/ posed to withholding any lands in the pub
lie domain that were capable of giving
strength and permanent prosperity to the
country in agricultural, commerce OF in
dustry. In conclusion he said:
standing securely on my conscious recti-
tude in the endorsement of the laws as
laid down by congress in these particulars,
the criticism OF the ignorant or the mali
oious of the conduct Of the Interior depart
ment are impotent and will fail of inter-
rupting the regular and orderly course
OF conduct laid down by the law for the
administration of the public domain"