Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-05


which the rental and rates for which
the power is furnished TO the public
shall be readjusted at periods less than
the term of the lease, say every ten
years.
The argument is gedagainst this dis
position Of power sites that legislators
and state authorities are more subject
to corporate influence and control than
would be the central government In
reply it Is claimed that readjustment
of the terms of leasehold every ten
years would secure TO the public and
the state Just and equitable terms
Then It IS said that the state au-
thorities are better able TO understand
the local need and what is fair adj
Justment in the particular locality
than would be the authorities at
Washington.
1t has been argued that after the
federal government parts with title TO
a power site it cannot control the ac-
ton of the state In fulfilling the con-
ditions of the deed, TO which 1t Is
answered that in the grant from the
government there may be easily In
serted n condition specifying the terms
upon which the state may part with
the temporary control Of the water
power sites, and, indeed, the water
power, and providing for forfeiture
of the title to the water power sites
in case the condition is not performed,
and giving TO the president, in case
of such violation Of conditions, the
power to declare forfeiture and to d.
rect proceedings to restore the central
government TO the ownership OF the
power sites, with all the improvements
thereon, and that these conditions may
be promptly enforced and the land and
plants forfeited TO the general gov
eminent by suit of the United States
against the state, which is permits
sible under the constitution.
do not express an opinion upon the
controversy thus made or a prefer
ence as to the two methods Of treating
water power sites. ] shall submit the
matter to congress and urge that one
or the other of the two plans be
adopted.
o. KS Last Administration.
1 have referred 10 the course OF the
last administration and of the present
ment lands from entry under home
stead and other laws and Of congress
in removing all doubt as to the validity
of these Withdrawals as great step In
the direction Of practical conservation
But it is only one OF two necessary
steps to effect what should be our pur-
pose. It has produced status quo
and prevented waste and irrevocable
disposition Of the lands until the meth
cd for their proper disposition can be
formulated.
But il is OF the utmost Importance
that such Withdrawals should not be
regarded as the final step in the course
Of conservation and that the idea
should not be allowed 70 spread that
conservation is the tying up OF the
natural resources OF the government
for indefinite Withholding from use and
the remission to remote generations TO
decide what ought to be done with
these means OF promoting present gen
eral human comfort and progress.
For. If so, it is certain to arouse the
greatest opposition TO conservation as
a cause. and IL it were a correct ox-
preston of the purpose Of conserva-
tionists It ought TO arouse this opposi-
ton. Real conservation involves wise.
nonwasteful use IN the present genera
ton, with every possible means OF
preservation for succeeding genera
lions, and. though the problem TO Sc
cure this end may be difficult, the bur
den is on the present generation
promptly to solve 1t and not 10 run
away from It as towards, lest In the
attempt to meet It we may make some
mistake.
AS 1 have said elsewhere, the prob
lem is how TO save and how 20 utilize,
how TO conserve and still develop.
for no sane person can contend that it
is for the common good that natures
blessings should be stored only for
unborn generations.
beg of you, therefore, in your de-
Hberations and in your informal dis
cussions, when men como 4orwnrd to
suggest evils that the promotion OF
conservation is to remedy, that you
invite them to point out the specific
evils and the specific remedies-that
you invite them to come down TO de-
tails in order that their discussions
may flow into channels that shall be-
useful rather than into periods that
shall be eloquent and entertaining
without shedding real light.
The people should be shown exactly
what is needed In order that they
make their representatives in congress
and the stnte legislature do their In
teIligent bidding