Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-09-06
EXPECT STATE
RIGHTS FIGHT
Conservatlonists Are Divided
Over the Roosevelt Policy
as to Water Sites.
TAFT MAKES IMPRESSION
He Favors State Control--
Crank Bothers Roosevelt
at Fargo, N D.
Special bv United Pres. Wire.

SI. du1, OSpss AAlbNo
for big fight on the question Of
federal control of water power sites
on public domain, Col. Roosevelt to-
day came to st. Paul to attend the
National Conservation Congress.
Originally, Roosevelt was to assume
a pacific attitude, but he is prepared
today to make a big fight for his
policy, federal control of water pow
er sites. 1
The colonel arrived at Minneapo-
lis this morning and was met by a
reception committee After break
fast he hurried across to st. Paul in
an automobile, and was taken to
the state capitol, where he reviewed
the Spanish war veterans. Then he
went to his hotel to wait the session
of the Conservation Congress.
When the congress convened
constitution was adopted providing
that the object Of the congress shall
be to provide forum for discussion
of the resources OF the United States
and to forward the prosperity of the
people
Col Roosevelt was enthusiastical=
ly received when he began his ad-N
dress. He said:
Roosevelt's Speech.
Americas reputation for efficiency
stands deeervedly high throughout
the world. We are efficient probab-
ly 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 cannot
excel our past. Through a practi-
cally unrestrained individualism we
have reached a pitch of literally un-
exampled material prosperity; al
though the distribution of this pros
perity 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 allowed great corporations
} to act as though they were individ-
uals, and to exercise the rights of
individuals, in addition to using the
vast combined power of high organ
ization and enormous wealth for
their own advantage. This develop
ment OF corporate action, 1t Is true,
is doubtless in large part responsible
for the gigantic development of our
natural resources, but is not less re-
: sponsible for waste, destruction, and
mOHOpOly On du equdliy gigantic
scale.
The method of reckless and uncon-
trolled private use and waste has
done for us all the good 1t ever can,
and 1t is time to put an end to it be-
fore 1t does all the evil it easily may.
We have passed the time when heed
less waste and destruction, and ar
rogant monopoly are any longer per-
missible. Henceworth We must seek
national efficiency by new and
better way, by the way of the order
ly development and use. coupled
with the preservation OF our natural
resources, by making the most of
what We have for the benefit of all
of us, instead of leaving the sources
of material prosperity open to indis-
criminate exploitation. These are
some of the reasons why it Is wise
that we should abandon the old point
of view, and why Conservation has
become a patriotic duty.
Waterways.
One of the greatest of our Conser-
vation problems is the wise and
prompt development and use of the
waterways Of this nation. The Twin
Cities, lying as they do at the head
waters Of the Mississippi, are. not up
on the direct line of the proposed
Lakes to the Gulf Deep Waterway.
Yet they are deeply interested in its
prompt completion, as well as in the
deepening and regulation of the Mis-
sissippi to the mouth of the Missouri
and to the Gulf. The project for
great trunk waterway, an arm of the
sea, extending from the Gulf of Mex
leo to the Great Lakes, should not be
abandoned The Lakes to the Gulf
Deep Waterway, and the develop
ment of the rivers which flow into 1t,
should be pushed to completion Wig
orously and without delay. But we
must recognize at the outset that
there are certain conditions without
which the people cannot hope to de-
rive from 1t the benefits they have
a right to expect.
In nearly every river city from st.
Paul to the Gulf the water front is
every artificial waterway in the Uni
controlled by the railways. Nearly
ted States, either directly or indi-
l rectly is under the same control. 1t
goes without saying that (unless the
people prevent 1t in advance) the
railways will attempt to take con-
troll of our waterways as fast as they
are improved and completed; nor
would I blame them, If we, the peo-
pie, are supIne in the matter. We
must see to it that adequate termi-
nails are provided In every city and
town on every improved waterway,
terminals open under reasonable
conditions to the use Of every citi-
zen, and rigidly protected against
monopoly; and we must compel the
railways to cooperate with the wa
| terways continuously, effectively,
and under reasonable conditions.
Unless we do so the railway lines
will refuse to deliver freight to the
boat lines, either openly or by i'm
posing prohibltory conditions, and
! the waterways once improved will
do comparatively little for the bene-
fit OF the people who pay the bill.
Adequate terminals properly con-
troIled and open through lines by
rail and boat. are two absolutely es-
sential conditions to the usefulness
Of inland waterways development.
believe furthermore that the rail-
ways should be prohibited from OWE
tContinaed on page lO.)