The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-07

Views on Conservation.
In September last a conservation con-
gress was held at st. Paul, at which l
delivered an address on the subject of
conservation so far as it was within the
jurisdiction and possible action OF the
Federal government In that address I
assembled from the official records the
statistics and facts as 10 what had been
done in this behalf in the administration
Of my predecessor and in my own, and
indicated the legislative measures which
/ believed 10 be wise I'm order to secure
the best use, in the public interest Of
what remains Of national domain. There
was in this address a very full discussion !
OF the reasons which led me TO the con
elusions stated. For the purpose OF saw
ing In an official record a comprehensive
resume Of the statistics and facts gath
cred with some difficulty I'm that address, |
and TO avoid their repetition in the body
of this message, ! venture 10 make the
address an accompanying appendix. The
statistics are corrected to November Is
last
For the reasons stated in the conser-
walton address. / recommend:
"First-That the limitations now inn
posed upon the Executive, which forbid
his reserving more forest lands in Ore
gon, Washington. Idaho. Montana. Colo |
RADIO, and Wyoming. be repealed,
'Second-That the coal deposits Of the
government be leased after advertisement
inviting competitive bids. for terms not
exceeding fifty years. with a maximum
rental and royalties upon the coal mined
to be Teadjusted every ten or twelve
years, ard with conditions as to main
ing and as to assignment which VIII pre-
vent combinations 20 mOnopolize control
of the coal in any one district or market.
do not think that coal measures under
$500 acres OF surface would be too large
an amount to lease to any one lessee.
''rhird-rhat the law should provide
the same separation in respect 10 gov
eminent phosphate lands of surface and
mineral rights that now obtains in coal
lands and that power 10 lease such lands
upon terms and limitations similar to
those above recommended for coal les
sees. with an added condition enabling
the government 10 regulate. and if need
be, to prohibit. the export TO foreign
countries OF the product
"FOurth-That the law should allow a
prospector for oil or gas TO have the right
to prospect for two years over a certain
tract OF government land. the right 10 be
evidenced by a license, for which he shall
Bay small sum; and that. upon dis,
eoyery. lease may be granted upon
terms, securing a minimum rental and
proper royalties 70 the government; and.
also. the conduct Of the oil or gas well
in accordance with the best method for
outstanding the supply of oil in the dis
triet The period OF the leases should not
IA % Errs sHo-r
should contain similar provisions as 80
assignment, TO prevent monopOlstic com
binations.
Would Lease Power sites
''Fifth-That waterpower sites be d.
reetly leased by the Federal government,
after advertisement and bidding, for not
exceeding fifty years, upon a proper
rental and with a condition fixing rates
charged TO the public for units Of cleo
tric power. both rental and rates to be
read1usted eqUitably every ten years by
arbitration or otherwise with suitable
provisions against assignment. to pre-
vent monOpoliStic combinations. Or that
the law shall provide that upon appll-
cation made by the authorities OF the
State where the WaterpoWer site is sit
uated. il may be patented to the State.
on condition that the State shall dispose
or it under terms like those Just de-
scribed. and shall enforce those terms;
or, upon failure 10 comply with the con-
dition, the waterpoWer site and all the
plant and Improvement On the site shall
be forfeited and revert to the United
States, the President being given the
power 10 declare the forfeiture and TO
direct legal proceedings for its enforce
ment Either of these methods would,
think, accomplish the proper public pur-
pose in respect 10 waterpower sites. but
enc or the other should be promptly
adopted
81 earnestly urge upon Congress that at
this session general conservation legisla-
ton OF the character indicated be adopted
At its last session this Congress took
most useful and proper steps in the cause
Of conservation by allowing the Execu-
tive, through Withdrawals. 20 suspend the
action OF the existing laws in respect 10
much OF the public domain. have not
thought that the danger OF disposing of
coal lands in the United States under the
present laws in large quantities was so
great as to call for their withdrawal be
cause under the present provisions il is
reasonably certain that the government
will receive the real value OF the land
But. in respect TO oil lands. or phosphate
lands. and OF gas lands in the United
states, and in respect 10 coal lands in
Alaska. have exercised the fun power OF
withdrawal with the hope that the action
Of Congress would follow promptly and
prevent that tying up OF the resources
Of the country ia the Western and less
settled portion and in Alaska, which
means stagnation and retrogression
''rhe question Of conservation is not
partisan one. and ! sincerely hope that
even in the short time Of the present
session consideration may be given 10
those questions which have now been
much discussed, and that action may be
taken upon them"
The President believes private corpora
tons should build proposed railroads in
Alaska. and government credit should
not be furnished for this purpose. A com
mission government, such as in force IN
the Philippines, IS recommended for that
possession.
A bureau for the care and control OF
national parks is a suggestion Of the
President, who adds that the Grand Can
yon of Colorado should be included in
another national park. Good prospect for
business throughout the country IS the
Presidents conclusion from the report
OF the Secretary OF Agriculture The re-
cent forest fires, which caused the deaths
of seventy-six employees OF the forest
service, cause the President TO ask legis-
lation that will enable the department to
meet its moral obligations toward the
families Of these men. Approval is given
the Secretary's estimates for the improve
ment of the forest service.
Hits at Census Padding.
1T is of the highest Importance that
Official inquiry of this sort should not
be embarrassed by fraudulent conspira-