The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-09-09
INTERESTS MAIN
FOE OF REFORM.
Pinchot Addresses Conser-
walton Congress.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

WHOSE PARTICULAR privilege E7ds
Been Observation-Disclosures Prin.
cipIes Of the Idea Few and Simple.
St. Paul, Sept. 9.-The principal
speech of the last days session of
the National Conservation congress
was made by Clifford Pinchot, deposed
chief forester. His subject was "The
Conservation Programme" and he
said, in part: -.@
Like nearly every great reform con.
servation first passed through period
of agitation and general approval. Dur.
ing this period it met with little oppo.
sition, for as yet it interfered with no
mans private profit. From the be-.
ginning of the world the preaching Of
righteousness in general terms has
been contemplated with entire equa-
nimity by the men who rise in vio-
lent protest the moment their own
particular privilege, graft or advan-
tage, comes practically into question.
That protest marks the second phase
of the reform.
Within the last two years conserva-
tion has passed out of the realms OF
an unimpeachable general principle
into that of practical fighting at
tempt to get things done. 1t has be-
gun to step on the toes of the bene-
ficiaries and the prospective beneficial
ries of unjust privilege and the result
ing opposition, considering the quar-
tiers whence it comes, is one of the
best of proofs that conservation is a
live movement for the general good.
Special Interests Fight Idea.
When the conservation movement
began to tell it developed without de-
lay that the one great obstacle to
practical progress lay in the political
power Of the special interests. Every
effort to conserve any natural resource
for the general welfare was met by
the legislative agents Of the men who
wanted to exploit it for their private
profit. The efforts to get things done
in conservation taught us clearly, un-
mistakably and with little delay that
so long as the political domination of
the great business interests endures
their corrupt control of legislation will
carry with it the monopolistic control
of the natural resources also. This is
what we face today in the effort to
apply conservation.
The fundamental principles of con-
servation are few and simple. One of
the first is this-that the natural re-
sources and natural advantages belong
to all the people and should be de-.
veloped, protected and perpetuated d.
rectly for the benefit of all the people,
and not mainly for the profit of few.
Another is that the natural re-
sources still owned by the people
which are necessaries of life, like coal
and water power, should remain in
public ownership and should be dis
posed of only under lease for limited
periods and with fair compensation to
the public for the rights granted.
As to Our Waters.
First Every stream should be made
useful for every purpose in which it
can be made to serve the public. The
preparation of a broad plan is needed
without delay for the development of
our waterways for navigation, domes-
tic supply, irrigation, drainage and
power.
Second-Every power site in state
or federal control should be held so
and should be disposed of only under
lease for limited time and with fair
compensation to the public.
Third-In the development of our
waterways the cooperation of the
states with the nation is essential for
the general welfare. ~>
As to Our Forests.
First-All forests necessary for the
public welfare should be in the public
ownership, such as the national for
ests already in existence, the proposed
Appalachian and White Mountain ma.
tional forests and the state forests of
New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
and other states. -.t ..s
Second The protection of forests
against fire is the first duty in forestry
of states and nation alike. The way
to stop fires is to get men to them as
soon as they begin The maintenance
and extension of forest fire patrol by
the nation, the states and their sub
divisions, and by associations or pri-
vate citizens who own timber lands, is
absolutely necessary.
Third-The protection of existing
forests by wise use is the first step
in forestry. Reforestation is, the sec
ond. 81
Fourth-Land bearing forests should
be taxed annually on the land value
alone and the timber crop should be
taxed when it is cut, so that private
forestry may be encouraged.
Fifth-The private ownership of for
est land is a public trust and the PEG.
pie have both the right and the duty
to regulate the use of such lands in
the general interest.
As to Our Lands.
/ First-Every acre Of land should be
put " WHdCeVei use VIII make IL most
useful to all the people,.
,Second-The fundamental object Of
our land policy should be the making
and maintenance of permanent, pros
porous homes. Land monopoly and
excessive holdings must not be toler-
,ated.
Third Settlement must be encour-
aged by every legitimate means on all,
land that will sIlnnort homes. Thus