Mexico Missouri message., 1910-09-08

On National Efficiency" before the
conservation congress today, former
President Roosevelt impressed on
his hearers the fact that conservation
has become national duty and must
be looked at from a 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 colonePs vigorous language. The
address In full was as follows:
Americas reputation for efficiency
stands deservedy high throughout the
world. We are efficient probably to the
full-limit that any nation can attain by
the methods hitherto used. There is great
reason to be proud of our achievements
ana yet no reason to believe that we can
not excel our past. Through practically
unrestrained indvidualism, we have
reached a pitch of literary unexampled
material prosperity; although the distrf-
button Of this prosperity leaves much to
be desired from the standpoint of justice
and fair dealing. But we have not only
allowed the individual q free hand which
was In the main right; we have also al
Ao"SN 6AGdl 10 act as thOORn
they were individuals, and to exercise the
rights of individuals, in addition to using
the vast combined power Of high organi-
cation and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development OF oorpo-
rate action, Il is true, is doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment of our natural resources, but It
is not less responsible for waste, destruc-
tion, and monopoly on an equally gigantic
scale.
The method Of reckless and uncon-
troled private use and waste has done
for US all the good It ever can, and It is
time to put an end to It before It does all
the evil 1t easily may. We have passed
the time when needless waste and de-
struction and arrogant monopoly, arc
any longer permissible. Henceforth we
must seek National efficiency by a new
and better way, by the way of the
derby 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
to indiscriminate exploitation. These are
some Of the reasons why 1t is wise that
we should abandon the old point Of view.
and why conservation has become a pa
trlotic duty
Waterways Development.
One Of the greatest OF our conservation
problems is the wise and prompt develop
ment 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, as well as in the
deepening and regulation of the Missis-
sippi to the mouth of the Missouri and to
the gulf. The project for n great trunk
waterway, an arm OF the sea- extending
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great
Lakes should not be abandoned. The
lakes to the gulf deep waterway, and
the development OF the rivers which flow
into 1t, 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.
rectfy or indirectly, IL under the same
control. 1t goes without saying that Gum
less the people prevent II in ADVANCED the
railways will attempt to take control of
our waterways as fast as they are i'm
proved and completed: nor would I blame
them, II 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-
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
we do so the railway lines will refuse to
deliver freight to the boat lines, either
openly or by imposing prohibitory condi-
lions. and the waterways once improved
viii do comparatively little for the bene-
At OF the people who pay the bill.
Adequate terminals properly controlled
and open through lines by rail and boat
are two absolutely essential conditions to
the usefulness Of inland waterway devel-
opment. believe furthermore that the
aaaNTw 81 lUuTI 49,
ing, controlling, or carrying any interest
in the boat lines on our rivers, unless
under the strictest regulation and control
of the Interstate Commerce Commission,
so that the shippers interests may be
fully protected.
The National Forests.
II any proof were needed that forest
protection is National duty, the recent
destruction OF forests in the west by fire
would supply st. Even with the aid of
the army added 10 that OF the forest
service the loss has been severe. with
out either It would have been vastly
greater.
But tho forest service does more than
protect the National forests against FIRE
It makes them practically and Increasing
~ useful as we'll. During tho last year
for which have the figures the National
forests were used by 1900 cattlemen
with their herds. 5000 sheepmen with
their fioclls, 5000 timbermen with their
crews. and $500 minerR More than
5000 persons used them for other special
industries Nearly 1900 settlers had
the free use Of wood. The total resident
population OF the National forests Is
about a quarter Of a million, which is
larger than the population Of certain
states. More than 100000 acres OF aR-
ricuitural 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 use Of water for these and other pur-
poses BY Individual settlers.
Country Life Institute.