The Yale expositor., 1910-09-09

st. Paul, Mimi, Sept. 6.-Speaking
on National Efficiency" before the
conservation congress today, former
President Roosevelt impressed on
his hearers the fact that conservation
has become a national duty and must
be looked at from a new point of
view and accomplished by new meth
DDS of developing and using the nat
ural resources of the country. His
address was the feature of the days
program and was listened to by a
throng that tested the capacity of the
hall and that frequently applauded
the colonel's vigorous language. The
address in full was as follows:
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 q practically
unrestrained individualism, we have
reached a 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 a free hand which
was in the main right; we have also al
lowed great corporations to act as though
they We're individuals and TO exercise the
rights OF individuals. in addition 20 using
the vast combined power of high organi-
zauon and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development of corpo-
rate action. II is true is doubtless I'm
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment Of our natural resources. but II
| ta 1....- Il
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 IL ever can, and II is
time to put an end to II before It does all
the evil IL easily NAV. We have passed
the time when needless waste and de-
struction, and arrogant monopoly. are
any longer permissible. Henceforth we
must seek National efficiency by new
and better way. by the way OF the or
| derly development and use. coupled with
the preservation. Of our natural resources
by making the most of what we have for
the benefit of all OF US. instead OF leaving
the sources of material prosperity open
TO indiscrimnate exploitation. These are
some OF the reasons why II is wise that
We should abandon the old point OF view.
and why conservation has become a pa
triotic duty
waterways DeNelOpmcnIs
One OF the greatest OF our conservation
problems is the wise and prompt develop
ment 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 we'll 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 he abandoned The
lakes TO the gulf deep waterway. and
the development of the rivers which flow
into It. 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 I'm the United States. either di-
rectly or indirectly. is under the same
control. II goes without saying that (un-
less the peoDle prevent II in advance) the
railways will ATTEMPT 10 take control OF
our waterways as fast as thev are Inn
proved and completed nor would I blame
them, III 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. terni-
|
the use of every citizen. and rlgidly pro-
tected against monopoly; and we must
compel the railways 10 cooperate with
the waterways continuously. effectively.
and under reasonable conditions. Unless
we do so the railway lines viii refuse to
deliver freight to the boat lines. either
openly or by imposing prohlbitory cond-
tions, and the WATERWAYS once improved
will do comparatively little for the bene-
ht OF the people who pay the bill.
Adequate terminals properly controlled
and open through lines by rail and boat
are two absolutely essential conditions to
| the usefulness OF inland waterway devel-
opment. believe Furthermore that the
railways should be prohibited from own
Ing. controlling. or carrying any interest
In the boat lines on our rivers. unless
under the strictest regulation and control
OF the Interstate Commerce Commission.
so 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 by fire
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 II would have been vastly
| greater.
But tho forest service does more than
protect the National forests against FIRE.
II makes them practically and increasing
| ly useful as well. During the last year
for which have the figures the National
| forests were used bv 900 cattlemen
with their herds. 5000 sheepmen with
their fiocks, 5000 timbermen with their
crews. and 45OoO miners. More than
5000 persons used them for other special
industries. Nearly 4Oo0 settlers had
the free use of wood The total resident
population OF the National forests Is
about a quarter OF a million, which Is
larger than the population OF certain
states More than 100000 acres OF ag-
ricultural land have been patented OF
listed for patent within tho forests. and
the reports OF the forest officers show
that more than 100000 people a year use
tho forests for recreation. camping. hunt
/ ing. fishing. and similar purposes. All
this is done. of course. without injury to
the timber. which has value of al least
n thousand million dollars Moreover
| the National forests protect the water
supply nf n thousand cities and towns
about S0 irrigation projects. and more
| than 300 power projects. not counting
the use of water for these and other pur-
/ poses by individual settlers
/ Hnnn4rx 4 lneafksstn