Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-09-07
CONSERVATION IS
PATRIOTIC DUTY
Roosevelt at st. Paul Advocates
New Methods.
WASTE AND MONOPOLY WRONG
Waterways and Forests Discussed
State and Federal controi-coun-
try Life institute Is
Favored.

st. Paul, Mimi. Sept. 6.-Theodore
Roosevelt was the central figure in
the conservation congress today, and
delivered an address that called forth
the warmest praise of those who
were fortunate enough to hear it, The
fact that the former president was to
speak attracted to the convention hall
a tremendous crowd, and the man
who has made conservation one of
the chief issues In the United States
was given the heartiest kind of a
greeting.
Taking National Efficiency" for his
general subject Mr.. Roosevelt said:
Americas reputation for efficiency
stands deservedy high throughout the
world. We are efficient probably to the
.full-limit that any nation can attain by
the methods hitherto used. There is great
reason to be proud of our achievements,
and yet no reason to believe that we can
not excel our past Through a practically
unrestrained individualism. we have
reached a pitch of literary unexampled
material prosper~y although the d:stri-
button of this prosperity leaves much TO
be desired from the standpoint of Justice
and fair dealing. But we have not only
allowed the individual a free hand. which
was in the main right; we have also al
Flowed great corporations to act as though
they were individuals, and to exercise the
rights of individuals. I'm addition to using
the vast combined power Of high crgani-
cation and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development of corpo-
rate action, it is true. is doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment of our natural resources, but II
is not less responsible for waste, des.ruc-
tion. and monopoly on an equally gigantic
scale.
The method Of reckless and uncon-
trolled private use and waste has done
for us all the good il ever can, and II is
time to put an end TO it before IL does all
the evil It easily NAV. We have passed
the time when Needless waste and de-
struction. and arrogant monopoly. are
any longer permissible. Henceforth we
must seek National efficiency by a new
and better way. by the way OF the
derby development and use, coupled with
the preservation, of our natural resources
ny making the most of what we have for
the benefit of all Of US. instead Of leaving
the sources of material prosperity open
10 indiscriminate exploitation These are
some OF the reasons why II is wise that
we should abandon the old point Of view.
and WHY conservation has become a pa
triotic duty.
Waterways Development.
One of the greatest of our conservation
problems is the wise and prompt develop
Tnent and of the waterways Of this
Nation. The Twin Cities, lying as they
do at the headwaters of the Mississippi.
are not upon the direct line of the pro-
posed lakes to the gulf deep waterway.
Yet they are deeply interested in its
prompt completion. as well az in the
deepening and regulation NJ the Missis-
sippi TO the mouth Of the Missouri and to
the gulf. The project for a great trunk
g. a. A.
from the Gulf Of Mexico to the Great
Lakes. should not he abandoned. The
lakes to the gulf deep waterway and
the development of the rivers which flow
into II. should be pushed TO com, letion
VIGOROUSLY and without DELAY.
In nearlv every river city from st. Paul
to the gulf the waterfront is controlled
by the railways. Nearly every artificial
waterway in the United States. either d.
rectlv or indirectly. is under the same
control It gnes wi.hou' saving that Gun
less the peonle prevent Il in advancel the
railways will attempt to take control of
our WATERWAYS fast thew are inn
proved and completed nor would blame
them. II we, the people. are supine IN the
matter. We must see TO IL that adequate
terminals are provided in every CITY and
town on every improved waterway terrni-
nails open under reasona BILE conditions to
the use OF every citizen and rigidly pro-
compel the railways 10 cooperate with
the waterways continuously effectively
and under reasonable conditions Unless
we do the railway lines viii refuse Ia
deliver freight to the boat lines. either
openly or bv imposing nrohibiforv condi-
tions and the Waterways once improved
win do compsrativelv little for the bene-
1T of the people who paw the bill
ADEQUATE termina's properlv controlled
and omen through Tines bv rail md boet
are two absolutely essential conditions 70
the usefulness NJ inland waterway deveI-
opnent I believe furtharrncra that the
railways should he prohibited from own
Ing. controllne, or carving snv interest
In the boat lines on our rivers urless
un"er the strictPst -egula ton end control
Of tire Inter State Commerce Commission
so that the shippers interests may be
The National Forests.
II any proof were needed that forest
protection is National duty. the recent
destruction of forests in the west BY fire
would supply It, Even with the aid Of
the armv added TO that Of the forest
service the loss has been severe With
out either It would have been vastly
greater
But tho forest service does more than
protect the National forests against fire
II makes them practically and increasing
" useful as we'll During the last wear
Tor which / have the figures the National
forests were used nv % n00 cattlemen
with their herds 5000 sheepmen with
their 1ocks, 5Ona timbermen with their
crews, and 1900 miners More than
$500 persons used them for other special
industries. Nearly @000 settlers had
the free use Of wood The total resident
population of the National forests il
about quarter Of million, which is
larger than the population OF certain
states More than 100000 acres p ag-
ricultural land have beer patented or
listed for patent within the rests and
the reports Of the fsrest officers show
that more than 4o0.0o0 people year use
the forests for recreation. camping. hunt
ing. fishing. and similar purposes All
this Is done. Of course. without tniur~ Ia
the timber, which las value OF AZ least
thousand million dollars Moreover
he National forests protect the wafer
supply Of q tho and cities and towns
about $40 irrigation projects. and more
than 800 power projects not counting
the use Of water for these and oth-r mr.
poses by individual settlers
Country Life institute.
The Investigations OF the Country life
Commission have led the farmer Of thfS
rouutry n realize that they have not been
getting their fair share Of progress ana
-