The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1910-09-09

IIcSlucHL NOOSeFolC impressed Oh
his hearers the fact that conservation
has become a national duty and must
be looked at from a now point Of
view and accomplished by new meth
DDS Of developing and using the nat
ural 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 coloners 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,
&nd yet no reason to believe that we can
not excel our past. Through a practically
unrestrained individualism, we lave
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 nave also al
lowed great corporations to act as though
they were individuals. and to exercise the
rights of individuals, in addition to using
the vast combined power of high organi-
cation and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development Of corpo-
rate action. 1t is true, is doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment Of our natural resources, but It
fs not less responsible for waste, destruc-
ton. 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 1t ever can, and 1t Is
time to put an end to 1t before it does all
the evil 1t easily may. 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 a new
and a 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 indiscriminate exploitation. These are
some OF the reasons why 1t IS wise that
we should abandon the old point Of view,
and why conservation has become q pa
triotic duty.
Waterways Development.
One of the greatest Of our conservation
problems is the wise and prompt develop
ment and use of the waterways Of this
The Twin Cities, lying as they
do at the h~eadwaters 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 be abandoned. The
lakes to the gulf deep waterway, and
the development Of the rivers which flow
into 1t, 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 in the United States, either d.
rectlv or Indirectly. Is under the same
control. 1t goes without saying that (un-
less the people prevent 1t in advance) the
railways will attempt to take control of
our waterways as fast as thew are i'm
proved and completed: nor would I blame
them, II we. the people. are supine in the
matter. We must see to 1t that adequate
terminals are provided In every city and
town on every improved waterway. termi-
mails open under reasonable conditions to
the use of every citizen. and rigidly pro-
tected against monopoly; and we must
compel the railways to cooperate with
the waterways continuously, effectively,
and under reasonable conditions. Unless
we do so the railway lines will refuse to
deliver freight to the boat lines, either
openly or by imposing prohibitory condi-
tons. and the waterways once improved
will do comparatively little for tho bene-
1T 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
&hA yAA%r1n~r~ ~ {~1n~A ruAtArrpAu laval
opment. I believe furthermore hat 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,
80 that the shippers interests may be
fully protected.
The National Forests.
II any proof were needed that forest
protection IL q National duty, the recent
destruction Of forests In the west by fire
would supply 1t. Even with the aid of
tho army added to that Of the forest
service the loss has been severe. With
out either It would have been vastly
greater.
But the forest service does more thar
protect the National forests against IRE.
It makes them practically and increasing
~ useful ~ we'll. During the last year
for which I have the figures the National
forests were used by N,0o cattlemsn
with their herds, 5000 sheepmen with
their nocks, 5000 timbermen with their
crews. and 1900 miners. More than
5000 persons used them for other special
industries. Nearly $4,000 settlers had
the free use Of wood. The total resident
population of the National forests II
about a quarter Of a million, which IL
larger than the population Of certain
states More than 700, go acres Of az
rcuItural land have been patented or
listed for patent within tho forests, and
the reports Of the forest officers show
that more than 4so,oco people 4 year use
the forests for recreation. camping, hunt
ing. fishing. and similar purposes. All
this 10 done, Of course, without injury to
the timber, which has q value Of at least
q thousand million dollars. Moreover.
the National forests protect the water
supply of a thousand cities and towns.
about 900 irrigation projects, and moro
than 800 power projects. not counting
the use of water for these and other Dur
poses by Individual settlers.
Country Life institute.
The Investigations Of the Country Life
Commission rave led the farmers Of this
country to realize that they nave not been