The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-14


limitation in time and proper compensa-
ton to the public In grants for water
power, was indorsed
Comprehensive Scheme.
In a word. the report OF the commits
sion and message. taken together. set
forth a comprehensive, definite scheme
for the conservation of our natural re-
sources. and included the essential de
tails of all the best that has been pro-
posed since they appeared. We were
ready TO move forward
AT this critical period. when the goal
was in sight. enemies Of conservation in
Congress not only succeeded In prevent
ing an appropriation with which 10 pur-
sac the work, but attempted to forbid its
progress by the Tawney amendment to
the last sundry civil bill. Thereupon the
work OF the National Conservation Com
mission was stopped.
The recommendations OF the commits
sion still wait for action. All wise men
will agree that the situation is serious.
The Tawney amendment was more than
"a mistake-it was a deliberate betrayal of
the future. The dangers which confront
the conservation movement to-day must
be met by positive action in Congress.
Up to Congress.
NO action will be equivalent TO bad
action, and will have the same results.
Unless Congress acts the water powers
will pass into the hands OF special in
terests without charge and without limit
Of time. SO with the phosphate deposits
on public lands, when the Withdrawals
which now protect them are removed. So
with the enormously valuable coal depOs-
its in Alaska, which the present law
would sell for so per acre.
1.-THE danger Of bad legislation Is no
less serious. The special interests must
no longer be allowed 20 take what they
/ choose out of the great property OF all
the people. Those who steal public lands
steal homes from men and women who
need them. Congress can stop the pill
| lage. or Congress can let il go on.
May Yet Fail.
1 In the absence Of proper action two
/ great conservation plans for the public
welfare may fail. The first is the control
| OF water powers on navigable streams in
/ the public interest. The second IS the
/ construction Of the deep waterway from
I the Great Lakes 70 the Gulf.
"The unanimous opinion Of the Missis-
sippi Valley recognizes this waterway as
la commercial necessity. 1t believes, with
! reason. that the cost. which is already
officially known, will be trivial when
compared with the benefits conferred
( Transportation facilities create traffic
The failure to develop our waterways
together with adequate terminals and
/ connections by rail, leaves TO the rail-
roads a complete monopoly Of transpor-
tation IN the Mississippi Valley.
The conservation of natural resources
and the conservation Of popular govern
ment are both at stake. The one needs
conservation no less than the other.
1T Is the duty OF every man of good
will 10 make known without delay to hi.
representatives In the House and Senat,
his firm intention to hold them RESPONSE
bic for safeguarding the rights and prop,
erty of the people. The remedy lies there
Immediate Danger.
The first great immediate danger /.
that the waterpowers viii be lost; the
second that the coal lands will be lost
But these specific dangers of public
loss are merely parts of the great issue
between the special interests and the res
ofeus. That issue is whether this coun
try shall be managed by men for human
welfare, or by money for profit
1T is a tremendous moral issue, fa1
greater than any mans personal feeling.
or personal fortunes. It lies between tn,
people and their representatives on ont
side. and the interests and their represent
atives on the other; between progress
and reaction; between special privilege
and a square deal.
I repeat that the supreme test is tn,
welfare OF the plain people. It Is tim,
to apply it."