The Washington herald., 1910-01-16
By JOHN II. FINNEY,


Conservation has been described as the
application OF common sense 70 COM
mon problems for the common good"
it is more than that. FOR It is a deep
rooted moral question involving common
honesty-an honesty 10 ones self and 70
ones children; an honest stewardship
in material things that are ours solely
as trustees for the future; wise and
economical use Of them: a stoppage OF
the waste. an increase OF human ef1Cl-
ency; the equality Of opportunity.
We have wandered far from this con-
ception OF our trusteeship In the use We
are making OF. and the abuse we are per-
hitting IN. the natural resources Of the
nation, but there Is apparent IN the land
an awakening OF the national conscience
that is finally to bring about a great
change IN the habits and thoughts OF the
republic on this question
Deal with Material Things.
These problems have TO deal. and deal
rightly. with the material thlngs-its wa
terways, its stores OF mineral wealth, its
coal and iron, its noble foresJs-which
have all contributed % the making OF a
great nation. They are the foundations
on which we are building a prosperity
unparalleled In all history and on which
we can still continue 10 build added
wealth and greatness, Il we build wisely.
These matters are all closely related
and interdcpendent. as viii be seen when
rightly considered. and are all INSOFAR
ably connected with the forest question;
in fact, the perpetuation Of the forest
may properly be called the keystone OF
the whole conservation movement.
Let us see why this IS so. First and
most IL danger, for az the present rate
Of cutting We face its total destruction In
the South in about fifteen years.
Waterways not now imprOyed-csnals
not YET dug. remain for late improve
ment and digging without grave harm
resulting. care in mining coal and iron
and minerals. in pumping oil and gas, TO-
getheT with more efficient use Of them.
will stretch out over many years our
present stores OF them; soil Improvement
and better farming methods are slowly
progressing along scientific lines, but the
forest, once destroyed. is either gone fer
ever. OF IS so gravely injured that re-
forestation IS necessary, and is both
slow and costly.
What the South would mean without
its forests-aud this condition srares Us
IN the faces something no sane man
or woman South can conp.acentIy con-
fair Southland into a desert, for quite
apart from the forest functions as q
producer Of timber stand out clearly
more important effects on climate and
health and soil fertility and on conssr-
walton Of water power and navigation.
There can be no lasting improvement OF
waterways without the forest cover at
the head Of the stream; there cannot Be
that full development Of cheap power
which is making the South a prosperous
manufacturing section; there exists N
forest denu5auon sharp and serious
menace 70 the health Of the people, Il
only there be considered the one phase
II q polluted or contaminated water sup
plv- there exists n change OF climate or
diminished rainfall an equally grave men
ace TO agriculture and soil productive
ness. The mining Of coal and iron. the
transportation Of goods-aE depend on
the forests.
II these things are true-and they are
is It any too soon for the South TO
awaken fully 70 the real dangers that
lie IN her Indifference &c the forest cues
ton? Is it not high time for her 10
squarely face the question and her duty
and opportunity TO share IN the conser-
walton work.
In this work. practical and sane as
must be evident. lies not only the moral
question Of righteousness. but presents
the opportunity for lasting constructive
action that will save 10 the South. and
through the South 10 the nation. Jhs
true foundations for national up5uiding
for all the future.