The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1910-09-20
Conservation Congress Adopts
Resolutions Declaring for
Federal Control.
MANY NOTABLES ADDRESS
BIG ST. PAUL GATHERING
Excerpts From Speeches o.
Some Of the Prominent
Men in Attendance.

The second National Conservation
. congress at st. Paul was one OF the
most notable gatherings ever held in
the United States. 1t was attended
by the president of the United States,
a former president, score of state
executives and many other distin-
guished persons in various walks of
. life. While there was difference OF
opinion expressed by the speakers ON
the methods OF applying the conser-
walton idea the main issue at the ST.
Paul convention was the question of
federal or state control of our natural
resources. This question caused a
turmoil during the final hours. AL
though it had been apparent for sew
eral days previous that the opponents
OF federal control were in the major
fly.
The resolutions, as finally adopted,
advocate federal control of natural re-
sources and follow closely the ideas
OF Roosevelt and Pinchot, although
partial adhesion is given to the CO.
operative control of navigable waters
between the states and the nation
The reclamation service is endorsed
and the repeal of the stone and timber
act is advocated. The Appalachian
forest reserve is favored, reforestation
is pressed upon state and nation and
the early opening OF Alaska coal fields
under a system Of leasing is favored
Many notable persons addressed the
congress and brief excerpts fromss some
of the addresses follow.
TAFT SEEKS HARMONY IN
CONSERVATION WORK.
President Taft, in his address at the
Conservation congress, referring to the
danger to the state and people at
large from the waste Of national
wealth and the need of some one to
provide a remedy, gave due credit to
Theodore Roosevelt, who, he said,
took up the task during the last two
years of his administration
The president said he inherited the
4 conservation policy, that he rejoices
in the heritage, and that he will do ali
he can for the cause, not as president
of party but as president of the
whole people.
President Taft discussed five differ
ent subjects agricultural lands, min
eral lands, forest lands, coal lands, oil
and gas lands, phosphate lands Fin
tshing with these, the subject of water
power sites was referred to and the
president outlined the arguments for
and against their control by the states
or the federal government. He re-
served his own opinion, however, and
said he would submit the whole mat
ter to congress.
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He said that when the people know
exactly what is needed they can then
make their representatives in con-
gress and the state legislatures do
their intelligent bidding.
Referring to the Cunningham claims
he avoided giving any opinion, but
called attention to the fact that no pri-
vate claims for Alaskan coal lands
bave yet been allowed or perfected,
and that whatever the result as to
pending claims, the existing coal land
laws of Alaska are most unsatisfac-
tory and that they should be radically
amended.
On this subject the president says
the United States government has
much to answer for in not giving
proper attention to the government of
Alaska and the development of its re-
sources for the benefit of all the PEG
pie Of the country.
The president placed considerable
emphasis upon the need for the avoid
Gnce of acrimony, imputations of bad
faith, and political controversy. in a
gathering Of this kind. Conservation,
he said, is not a question of politics,
or of factions, or of persons, but a
matter that affects the vital welfare
Of everybody.
ROOSEVELT WARNS AGAINST
THE SPECIAL INTERESTS.