The new era., 1910-09-08
CONSERVATION IS
PATRIOTIC DUTY
Roosevelt at st. Paul Advocates
New Methods.
WASTE AND MONOPOLY WRONG
Waterways and Forests Discussed
etate and Federal controI-coun-
try Life Institute 10
Favored.


the conservation congress today. and
delivered an address that called forth
the warmest praise of those who
were fortunate enough to hear it. The
fact that the former president was to
speak attracted to the convention hall
a tremendous crowd. and the man
who has made conservation one of
the chief issues in the United States
was given the heartiest kind of
greeting.
Taking National Efficiency" for his
general subject. Mr.. Roosevelt said:
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
and yet no reason to believe that we can
not excel our past. Through practically
unrestrained 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
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 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 is true. is doubtless In
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment of our natural resources. but 1t
is not less responsible for waste. destruc-
tion. and monopoly on an equally gigantic
scale.
The method of reckless and uncon-
trolled private use and waste has done
for US all the good 1t ever can. and 1t is
time to put an end to 1t before 1t 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 new
and better way, by the way of the or
derby development and use. coupled with
the preservation Of our natural resources
by making tho most of what we have for
the benent of all of us. instead of leaving
tho 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 pa
triotic duty.
Waterways Development.
One of the greatest of our conservation
problems is the wise and prompt develop-
Tent 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 Its
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 a 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 1ow
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.
rectlv or indirectly. Is under the same
control 1t goes without saying that Gun
less the pecnle prevent 1t in advance) the
RAILWAYS will attempt to take control of
our waterways fast as thew are I'M
proved and completed: nor would blame
them. II we. the people are supine In the
matter. We must see to It that adequate
terminals are provided in every CITY and
town on every improved waterway termi-
mails 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 will refuse to
deliver freight to the boat lines. either
openly bv imposing prohfbitorv cnndi-
tions. and the WATERWAYS once improved
will do comparativ-lv little for the bene-
Mt Of the people who pav the bill
Adequate terminals properlv controlled
and open through lines nv rail :ri 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
p,, controll'ne. OF carving anv interest
~ he boat lines on our rivers. unless
~ r the str'ctest regulation and control
efESe Inter State Commerce Commission.
70 that the shippers interests may be
fully protected.
The National Forests.
II anY proof were needed that forest
protection is a National duty, the recent
destruction of forests In the west bv fre
would supply It. Even with the aid of
the army 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.
1t makes them practically and increasing
ly useful rs we'll. During the last year
for which have the figures the National
forests were used BY 22.0oo cattlemen
their nocks. 5000 timbermen with their
crews. and 5000 miners. More than
300 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 million, which is
larger than the POPULATION of certain
states. More than 100000 acres of ag-
ricultural land have been patented or
listed for patent within the forests and
the reports of the forest officers show
that more than 100000 people n year use
tho forests for recreation. canning hunt
ing. fishing. and similar purposes All
this Is DONE of course. without injury to
the timber. which has value of at least
thousand million dollars. Moreover
the National forests protect the water
supply of thousand cities and towns
about 800 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.
The Investigations of the Country Life
Commission have led the farmers of this