Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1910-09-08

can republics all the help we oan The
cases In which we have failed should be
no less instructive than the cases in
which we have succeeded. With prompt
action and good will the task of saving
the resources for the people is full Of
hope for us ALL
State and Federal Control.
But while we of the United States are
anxious, as I believe we are able, to be
OF assistance to others, there are prob
lens OF our own which we !nust not over
look. One of the most important con-
servaton questions OF the moment relates
to the control OF water power monopoly
IN tho public interest. There Is apparent
to the judicious observer distinct ten
dency on the part Of our opponents to
cloud the issue by raising the question of
state as against federal jurisdiction. We
are ready to meet that issue If 1t is forced
upon US. But there is no hope for the
plain people in such conflicts OF jurisdic-
ton. The essential question Is not one
Of hair-sphtung legal technicalities It is
simply this: Who can best regulate the
special interests for the public good?
Most OF the predatory corporations are
interstate or have interstate affiliations.
Therefore they are largely out Of reach of
effective state control. and fall of neces-
sfty within the federal jurisdiction. One
OF the prime objects OF those among them
that arc grasping and greedy is to avoid
any effective control either by state or
nation; and they advocate at this time
state control simply because they believe
it to be the least effective. In the great
fight OF the people to drive the special
| interests from the domination of our gov
eminent, the nation Is stronger and IT'S
jurisdiction IN more effective than that Of
any state. The most effective weapon
against these great corporations, most Of
which are financed and owned on the At
la, CT - fel J>,x
federal executive. That Is why 7 so
| strongly oppose the demand to turn these
matters over to the states. 1t Is funda-
mentally demand against the interest
of the plain people, OF the people OF small
means, against the interest of our chill
dren and our children's children; and 1t
is primarily IN the interest of the great
corporations which desire to escape all
government control.
The Conservation Fight.
On Of the difficulties in putting into
practise the conservation idea Is that tho
field to which It applies is constantly
growing in the public mind. It has been
no slight task to bring before 100 900 peo-
pie a great conception like that Of con-
servation and convince them that it is
right. This much we have accom-
pished. But there remains much to be
cleared up, and many misunderstanding
to be removed. These misunderstanding
are due in part at least to direct mis-
representation by the men to whose
interest IT H. that conservation should not
prosper. For example we find It con-
stantly setd by mon who should know
better that temporary Withdrawals,
such the Withdrawals Of coal lands,
will permanently check development. Yet
the fact Is that these withdrawals have
no purpose except to prevent the coal
lands from passing into private owner
ship until CONGRESS can pass laws to open
them to development under conditions
tust alike to tho public and to the men
who will DO the developing.
Abuses committed in tho name Of Just
Gauge familiar to all Of US. Many
unwiss things are done and many unwise
measures are advocated In the name of
ton, either through ignorance,
OF by those whose interest lies not in pro-
noting tho movement, but in retarding 1t.
For example. to stop water power deyel-
opment by needless refusal to issue per-
mtts for water power or private irrigation
worls on the public lands inevitably leads
many men, friendly to conservation and
believers in Its general principles, to as
sumo that its practical application is nee
esSarily a check upon progress. Nothing
could be more mistaken. The Idea, widely
circulated of late that conservation means
locking up of the natural resources for the
exclusive use Of future generations. Is
wholly mistaken. Our purpose is TO make
full use of these resources, but to consid-
er our sons and daughters AS well our
selves; Just a farmer uses his farm
in ways to preserve its future usefulness.
Conservation is the road to national eff
ffciercy. and It stands for ample and wise
development.
But in spite Of these difficulties. most
of which are doubtless inevitable in any
movement of this kind. conservation has
made marvellous progress. I have been
astoundcd and delighted on my return
from abroad at the progress made while
was away. We have a right to congrattl-
late ourselves on this marvellous progress:
but there Is no reason for believing that
the fight is won. In the beginning the
special interests, who are our chief opDo-
nents in the conservation fight, paid little
heed to the movement. because they nei-
Their understood 1t. nor that If 1t won
they must lose But with the progress of
conservation In the minds of our people
the fight is getting sharper. The nearer
we approach to victory, the bitterer the
opposition that we must meet, and the
greater the need for caution and watch
fulness Open opposition over
come, but I warn you especially against
the men who come to congresses ouch as
this ostepstbiy distnterested citizens,
but actually as the paid agents of the
special interests. heartily approve the
attitude OF any corporation. Interested in
tbs which comes hither to advocate. by
its openly accredited agents. views which
It believes the meeting should have in
mind. But condemn with equal readi-
ness the appearance Of q corporate agent
before any convention who does not de-
clare himself frankly as such.
This congress is direct apeal to the
patriotism Of our whole people. The
nation wisely looks to such gatherings
for counsel and leadership. Let that
leadership be sound. definite, practical.
and on the side of all the people It
would be no small misfortune II a meeting
such this Should fall into the
hands Of the open enemies or false friends
Of the great movement which 1t repre-
sents.
IT Is our duty and eur desire to make
this land Of surs a better homo for the
race. but our duty docs not stop there
We must also work for better nation to
live in this better land. The development
and conservation Of our national eharac-
acter and our FREQ institutions must 70
hand in hand with the development ana