The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-09-09
CONSERVATION IS
PATRIOTIC DUTY
Roosevelt at st. Paul Advocates
New Methods.
WASTE AND MONOPOLY WRONG
Waterways and Forests Discussed
State and Federal Controi-Coun-
try Life Institute 10
Favored.

the conservation congress today. and
delivered an address that called forth
the warmest praise Of those who
were fortunate enough to hear It. The
fact that the former president was to
speak attracted to the convention hall
. tremendous crowd, and the man
who has made conservation one Of
the chief issues in the United States
was given the heartiest kind OF q
greeting.
Taking National Efficiency" for his
general subject. Mr.. Roosevelt said:
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 cur past. Through q practically
unrestrained individualism. we have
reached q 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 tho individual free hand. which
was in the main right; we have also al
| lowed great corporations to act a. though
they were individuals, and to exercise the
rights OF individuals. in addition to using
the vast combined power Of high organi-
xation ana enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development Of corpo-
rate action. II 10 t-ue. IN doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment OF our natural resources. but Il
10 not less responsible for waste. destruc-
ton. and monopoly on an equally gigantic
scaie.
Tho method of reckless and uneon-
trolled private use and waste has done
for US all the good II ever can, and Il IL
time to put an end to II before II does all
the evil It 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 . new
and = better way. by the way OF the or
derby 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 II ~ wise that
and why conservation has become q pa
sriotie duty.
Waterways Development.
One OF the greatest Of our conservation
problems IL the wise and prompt develop.
ment and use Of the waterways OF this
Nation. Tho Twin Cities, lying as they
do at the headwaters OF the Mississippi
posed lakes TO the gulf deep waterway
Yet they are deeply interested in IT.
prompt completion. ns we'll AZ in the
deepening and regulation Of the Missis-
sippi to the mouth of the Missouri and "a
the gulf. The project for a great trunk
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great
Lakes. should not he abandoned. The
lakes 20 the gulf deep waterway. and
the development Of the rivers which Cow
Into II. should be pushed to completion
vigorously ana without delay.
In nearly every river city from ~. Pau
10 the gulf the waterfront Is controlled
by the RAILWAYS. Nearly every artificial
waterway In the United States. either al.
rectly or indirectly. In under tho eams
control. II goes without saving that tun-
less the peopie prevent 1t in advanced tn,
railways will attempt to take control oil
our waterways ms fast rs they are i'm.
proved and completed; nor would I blame
them, II We the people, are supine In tbs
matter. We must see to II that adequate
terminals are provided In every city and
town on every improved waterway. termi.
the use OF every citizen. and rigidly pro,
. tected against monopoly: and We mus,
compel the railways 20 cooperate with
the waterways continuously. effectively
and under reasonable conditions. Unless
we do 30 the railway lines will refuse e
deliver freight to the boat lines. either
openly or by imposing prohihitory condi.
tons. and the waterways once improved
win do comparatively little for the bene.
At of the people who pay the bill
; Adequate terminals properly controlled
and open through lines by rail ana boat
are two absolutely essential conditions t.
the usefulness of inland waterway devel.
opment believe furthermore that this
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
10 that the shippers interests may b
The National Forests.
II any proof were needed that fores,
protection II National duty. the recent
destruction of forests In the west BY Are
would supply II. Even with tho aid OF
the army added to that Of the fores,
service the loss has been severe. with.
out either II would have been vastly
But the forest service does more than
protect the National forests against firs
! II makes them practically and increasing
~ useful a. we'll. During the last year
for which have the figures the National
forest. were used by n.ooo cattiemen
4 Bue0Rmeh
their hocks. s.oes timbermen with thei.
crews. and 5000 miners. More thar
1900 persons used them for other special
Industries. Nearly A.ooo settlers had
the free use Of wood. The total resident
population OF the National forests ID
about quarter OF q million. which Il
larger than the population Of certain
states More than soeooo acres Of a.
ricultural land have been patented OF
listed for patent within the forests, and
the reports Of the forest officers show
that moro than lcoooe people q year uss
the forests for recreation. camping. hunt.
J Ing. fishing. and similar purposes. Al
this II done. Of course. without injury q
the timber. which has value Of AZ leas,
thousand million dollars. Moreover
the National forests protect the watel
supply Of Q thousand cities and towns
about 20 irrigation projects. and mors
than 30 power projects. not countin1
the use Of water for these and ether Dur,
ooses By Individual settlers.
Country Life Institute.
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