The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-30
EklLiNGEE GIVES HIS IDEAS AS
TO WHAT REALLY SHOULD
BE DONE
ADDRESSES GATHERING
In Soeec. Before Conservation Club
of Rhode island and Economics Club
of Providence, Secretary Of Interior
Takes Severe Rap at "pick.ine" Poi
icy of Former Chief Forester.

Providence. r. l.. Jan. a9.-Secretary
! Ballinger. speaking tonight before the
Conservation club of Rhode Island
and the Economic club Of Providence
which met together to hear him. gave
his views on conservation Of natural
resources and declared that conserving
them does not mean hottiing them
up.
The secretary said he did not be-
liese that conservation which merely
preserved the resources of the nation
interests the public. but that he did
believe the public Is interested In. con-
servation which, through development
saves them from waste and improper
use.
Some people. l fear" declared the
secretary. have a notion that to
preserve our national resources we
must pickle them or bottle them UP.
All kinds Of extreme notions are like
ly to be advanced by those who take
an impracticaDle view of this subject.
| was confronted recently by the sug-
gestion that the government build
homes upon the remaining public
lands, fence and stock them and rent
them To applicants and become the
landlord of the public domain.
1T is all right TO place reasonable
restraints on the use of our natural
resources to prevent the mischefs
which result from monopoly and greed
and extortion. but when you attempt
to regulate mans private business
or declare how he shah. use his prep
erty SO that he can no longer ex-
erelse a reasonable independence over
it, he may as well surrender his bust
ness and his property To the state
and let the state operate it.
individual Liberty.
Individuality and industry will GER
tainls disappear under any system of
public regulation and control that i'm
poses strictly governmental guard
ianship over the citizen. The Amerl-
can system of government eontem-
plates the freest possible exercise of
individual liberty. consistent with the
public good and in discussing the
conservation of our natural resources
and the supervision. regulation and
control that is proper to be exercised
by federal or state authority this prin-
eiple should be constantly recognized.
After al the questions of conser-
walton is II question of practicing
with our resources frugality and econ
ams. Profligacy and wanton waste
Of our inheritance in this particular
af course, Is To h. rastraine | wl.cn-
ever and wherever the power exists
and particularly when the loss effects
the future happiness of mankind
f.,tt ia. ha toh
degree is involved In tho preparation
of our wealth and the ability of our
people 10 live in happiness and pros
nerity in all generations La come.
Therefore. we can justly say that no
man can crafty his lust for wealth
ar his ambition for power. by de-
s'ras,ng the opportunities of others
II live and enjoy their share of the
harntias Of nature
Government Control.
Secretary Ballinger referred to
President Tafts recent message 10
congress. which declared that the soils
of the country that produce food
stuffs are also worthy Of eanserva-
tion. and the secretary also declared
the soils should b. included In the
NbhSrfNdiIeH with IoTeSt. Inc mines
and water power resources The wa
ter power resources should be de-
eeloped under government control. Mr.
Ballinger insisted. to save the coal and
the forests from being consumed far
fuel. Mr.. Ballinger declared that such
development should be through pri-
Sate enterprise under government
supervision. and control. and that
congress should give to the executive
branch of the government the author
ity 10 obtain those results.
In view Of the national interest i'm
these resources. concluded the seere-
tary. il is incumbent upon the CON
srass To give the executive branch Of
the government sufficient power and
authority To protect against the con-
tinued waste and destruction of the
public domain. And Il IL the earnest
determination D this administration
that il may be clothed with sufficient
authority and equipped with the
necessary machinery 10 accomplish ali
that IL = possible through federal
agencies iI4 this particular.