The Washington herald., 1910-09-07

St Paul, Sept. 6.-Colonel Roosevelt
In his conservation speech to-day. COM
pIimented President Taft, though differ
ing with him on the question OF Federal
authority. lie said:
Americas reputation for efficiency
stands deservedly high throughout the
world. We are efficient probably 20 the
full limit that any nation can attain by
the methods hitherto used. There Is
great reason TO be proud OF our achieve
ments. and yet no reason TO believe that
we cannot excel our past Through a
practically Unresuained individualism
We have reached a pitch OF literally un-
exampled material prosperity. although
the distribution OF this prosperity leaves
much 10 be desired from the standpoint
OF justice and fair dealing
Corporations and Waste.
But We have not only allowed the in
dlvidual a free hand. which was. in the
main. right: we have also allowed great
corporations to act as though they were
individuals and exercise the rights OF
individuals IN addition to using the vast
combined power or high organization
and enormous wealth for their own ad-
vantage. This development Of corporate
action. II is true. is doubtless in large
part responsible for the gigantic devel-
opment OF our natural resources, but II
is not less responsible for waste. de-
strucuon. and monopoly on an equally gu
gantic scale.
In nearly every city from ST. Paul TO
the Gulf the water front is controlled by
the railways. Nearly every artificial
waterway IN the United States. either
directly or indirectly. is under the same
control It goes without saying that
unless the people prevent It IN advance
the railways will attempt to take con-
troll OF our waterways a fast as they
are improved and completed; nor would
blame them II we, the people. are su-
pine in the matter.
Proof of National Duty.
IF any proof were neeGed 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 70 that OF the Forest
Service the loss has been severe. With
out either Il would have been vastly
greater.
"One Of the most important meetings
In our recent history was that Of the gov
ernors in the White House in May. 1905.
20 consider the conservation question.
BY the advice OF the governors the
meeting was followed by the appoint
ment OF a national conservation COM
mission. The meeting OF the governors
directed the attention Of the country to
conservation as nothing else could have
done, while the work Of the commission
gave the movement definiteness and sup
piled II with a practical programme.
But at the moment when the commits
sion was ready TO begin the campaign
for putting its programme into effect
an amendment TO the sundry civil
hill was introduced by a Congressman
from Minnesota with the purpose Of put
ting a stop to the work so admirably be-
gun.
Object of the Amendment.
Congress passed the amendment It's
object was to put an end 70 the work or
a number OF commissions which had been
appointed by the President. and whose
contribution 70 the public welfare had
been simply incalculable Among these
were the. commission for recognizing the
business methods OF the government. the
public lands commission, the country
life commission. and the national con-
servation commission itself
when I signed the sundry civil
bill containing this announcement I trans
mitted with it as my last official act
memorandum declaring that the amend
ment was void. because It was an I'M
constitutional interference with the rights
Of the Executive. and that II were to
remain President would pay to It no
attention whatever.