The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-06

to be the least effective.
 In the great fight of the people 10
 drive the special interests from the
 domination of our government the na- tion is stronger and it's jurisdiction is more effective than that of any state. The most effective weapon against these great corporations, most of which are financed and owned on the Atlantic coast, will be federal laws and the federal executive.
 That is why I so strongly oppose the demand to turn these matters over to the states. It is Fundamentally a demand against the interest of the plain people, of the people of small means, against the interest of our chf- dren and our children's children, and it is primarily in the interest of the great corporations, which desire to es cape all government control.
 The Conservation Fight.
 One of the difficulties in putting into practice the conservation idea is tha the field to which it applies is con stantly growing in the public mind It has been no slight task to bring be. fore 100,O0o,O00 people a great con. ceptiOn like that of conservation and convince them that it is right.
 This much we have accomplished But there remain much to be cleared up and many misunderstanding to be removed. These misunderstanding are due in part at least to direct misrepre. sentation by the men to whose interest it is that conservation should not pros. per.
 For example. we find it constantly said by men who should know better that temporary withdrawals. such aa the withdrawals of coal lands, will per. manently check development.
 Yet the fact is that these withdraw. als have no purpose except to prevent the coal lands from passing into pri- vate ownership until congress can pass laws to open them to development un- der conditions just alike to the public and to the men who will do the de- ,veoping.
 If there is delay the responsibility for it rests not on the men who made the withdra walls to protect the pub lie interest, but on those who prevent congress from passing wise legislation and so putting an end to the need for withdrawals
 We have a right to congratulate our selves on this marvellous progress. But there is no reason for believing that the fight is won In the beginning the special interests. who are our chief Op- ponents in the conservation fight. paid little heed to the movement, because they neither understood it nor saw that if it won they might lose. But with the progress of conservation in the minds Of our people the fight is getting sharper.
 The nearer we approach to victory fI1a 1offfaroT- ho must meet and the greater the need for caution and watchfulness. Open We can overcome, but I warn you especially against the men who come to congresses such as this, as disinterested citizens, but actually as the paid agents of the special interests.
 I heartily approve the attitude of any corporation, interested in the deliber- ations of meeting such as this. which comes hither to advocate by it's openly accredited agents views which it be lieveS the meeting should have in mind. But I condemn with equal read mess the appearance of a corporate agent before any convention who does not declare himself frankly 0s such.
 This congress is a direct appeal to the patriotism of our whole people.
  erings for counsel and leadership. Let that leadership be sound. definite. practical and on the side of all the people. It would be no small misfOr- ture if a meeting such as this should ever fall into the hands of the open enemies or false friends of the great which it represents.
 What this country needs is what ev- cry free country must set before it as the great goal toward which it works an equal opportunity for life. Hb- erty and the pursuit of happiness for every one of its citizens. To achieve this end wd must put a stop to the improper political dominion no less han the improper economic dominion 1f the great special interests.
 This country. frs nat-EaI resources, ts natural advantages. it's Opportuni- ies and its institutions belong to all ts citizens.
 They cannot be enjoyed fully and freely under any government in which he special interests as such have a roice. The supreme political task of our day, the indispensable condition Of national efficiency and national wel- 'are is to drive the special interesbr put of our public life.