The San Francisco call., 1910-09-09


Like nearly every reform. con-
servation first passed through
period of agitation and general
approval. During this period, it
met with little opposition, for as
Yet it interfered with no mans
private profit. From the begin
ming of the world, the preaching
Of righteousness in general terms
has been contemplated with en-
tire equanimity by the men who
rise in violent protest the
moment their own particular
privilege, graft or advantage
comes practically into question.
That protest marks the second
phase of the reform.
With the last two years, con-
servation has passed ont of the
realm of an unimpeachable gen
eral principle into that of a prac-
teal fighting attempt TO get
things done. 1t has begun to
step on the toes of the benefi-
ciaries and the prospective bene-
flciartes OF unjust privilege, and
The reserviRg opposition, consid-
erlng the quarters whence it
comes, is one of the best of
proofs that conservation is a live
movement for good.
The people believe in conser-
walton. Now. when any great
movement has established itself
so firmly in the public mind that
a direct attack upon it will not
pay. the regular method is to ap-
prove 1t in general terms, and
then condemn its methods and
us men. so now the demand from
the opponents of conservation is
not at all that we shall aban-
don the principle of the greatest
good of us all for the longest
sources. The soft pedal conser-
vationists merely ask that con-
servation as applied shall be
what they call rational. safe and
sane Safe and sane legislation,
that expression is used by the
lslation not unfriendly, to the
continued control of our public
analrs by the special interests.
Safe and sane conservation. as
that expression is used by these
same men, means conservation
So carefully sterilfzed thai If
VIII do the special interests no
harm and the people no good.
When the conservation move
ment began TO tell. it developed
without delay that the one great
oostacle to practical progress lay
terests. Every effort to CON
serve any natural resource for
the general welfare was met bv
the legislative agents of the men
VINO wanted 70 exploit it for
their private profit. The effort
10 get things done in conserya-
non taught us clear rIy unn,is
takably. and with little DELAY.
that so long as the political DOM
lnation of the great business in
teIests endures. their corrupt
control of legislation will carry
with, IT the monopolistic control
Or the natural resources also.
MS is what we face today in the
eIort 70 apply conservation.
ne fundamental principles of
conservation are few and simple.
one OF the first is that the nat
lral resources and natural ad
Nanta ges belong to all the naon1a
and should be developed. pro
Iected and perpetuated directly
Tor the benefit of all the neonla
few. VI
Another is that the natural re-
sources still owned by the peonle
Whlch are necessaries of life, like
coal and water power. should
remain In public ownership and
lease for limited periods and with
Lalr compensation to the public
Tor the rights granted
As TO OUR WATERS:
Livery stream shouJd he
made useful for every purpose in
winch NJ can he made to serve
tue public. The preparation OF
broad plan Is needed uitbonf
delay for the DEVELOPMENT of onr
waterways for navigation, do
qestfc supply. irrigation, drain
age and power.
LIVERY power site noyv in
state or federal control should
DC held so. and should be dis
posed of only under lease for
limited time and with fair COW"
pe1satton to the public.
S-ln the DEVELOPMENT of our
waterways the cooperation of
the states with the nation i. es-
seh'iaI TOT the general welfare.
AS TO OUR FORESTS:
1-AI1 forests necessary for tb~
public welfare should he In the
public ownership, such as fhe nae
tlonaI forests already in exist
ehce, the proposed Appalachian
ana White mountain pationaI
forests. and the state forests az
New York, Pennsylvania, Wis
consin and other states.
The protection of forests
against fire is the first dufv In
forestry of states and nation
alike. The way to stop fires 4.
10 get men to them as soon as
theF begln. The maintenance and
extension of forest fire patrol Nv
the nation, the states and their
subdivisions, and by association.
or private citizens who own tim
Der lands, is absolutely neces-
sary.
S-The protection of existinr
forests by wise use is the first
step In forestry. Representation
il the second.
4-l.and which bears forests
should be taxed annually ON the
land value alone and the timber
crop should be taxed when ~ fs
cut, SO that private forestry NAV
be encouraged.
5-The private ovvnershfn of
forest land ix n public trust. and
the people have both the right
and the duty 10 regulate the use
OF such lands in the general in
terests.
AS To LANDS:
1-Every acre. of land shouId
be put TO whatever use Will make
IL most useful to all the peopie,
2-The fundamental. object of
our land policy should he the
making and maintenance of per-
manenf. prosperous homes. Land
monopoly and excessive holdings
must not be tolerated.
'om mineral, forest and water
ghts. including water power sites.
e recommend legislation for the
assification and leasing for graz
lg purposes on unreserved public
Lnds suitable chiefly for this pur-
ose, subject to the rights of home