The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-09-08
CONSERVATION IS
PATRIOTIC DUTY
Roosevelt at st. Paul Advocates
New Methods.
WASTE AND MONOPOLY WRONG
Waterways and Forests Discussed
State and Federal Control-Coun.
try Life Institute ls
Favored.

St. Paul, Mimi, Sept. 6.-Theodore
Roosevelt was the central figure In
the conservation congress today, and
delivered an address that called forth
;She warmest praise Of those who
we're fortunate enough to hear it. The
fact that the former president was to
speak attracted to the convention hall
. tremendous crowd, and the man
who has made conservation one of
the chief issues in the United States
was given the heartiest kind of
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-lmit 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 practically
unrestrained individualisn, we have
reached a pitch of literary unexampled
material prosperity; although the distri-
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 free hand, which
was in the main right; we have also al
lowed great corporations to act as though
they were individuals, and to exercise the
rights Of individuals, in addition to using
the vast combined power Of high organi-
cation and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development of corpo-
rate action, it IL true, is doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopment Of our natural resources, but It
II not less responsible for waste, destruc-
tfon 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 it ever can, and 1t is
time to put an end to it before 1t does all
the evil it easily may 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 new
and better way, by the way Of the or
derby 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 indiscriminate 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 pa
triotic duty.
Waterways Development.
One Of the greatest of our conservation
problems is the wise and prompt develop
nent and use Of the waterways Of this
Nation. The Twin Cities, lying as they
10 at the headwaters Of the Mississippi,
ere not upon the direct line of the pro-
posed lakes to the gulf deep waterway.
Yet they are deeply interested in it's
prompt completion, as we'll as in the
deepening and regulation of the Missis-
sfppi to the mouth Of the Missouri and to
the gulf. The project for a great trunk
waterway an arm Of the sea- extending
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great
Lakes. should not be abandoned. The
lakes to the gulf deep waterway. and
the development Of the rivers which flow
into 1t. should be pushed to completion
vigorously and without delay.
In nearly every river city from Sc. Paul
10 the gulf the waterfront Is controlled
by the railways. Nearly every artificial
waterway in the United States, either d.
Tectly or indirectly. Is under the same
control. 1t goes without saying that Gun
less the people prevent it in advance) the
railways will attempt to take control Of
our waterways as fast as they are i'm
proved and completed; nor would blame
them, If we, the people. are supine in the
matter. We must see to 1t that adequate
terminals are provided in every city and
mails open under reasonable conditions to
the use Of every citizen. and rigidly pro-
tected against monopoly; and we must
compel the railways to cooperate with
the waterways continuously. effectively.
and under reasonable conditions. Unless
we do 80 the railway lines will refuse to
deliver freight to the boat lines, either
openly or by imposing prohibitory condi-
tfons, and the waterways once improved
will do comparatively little for the bene-
ut Of the people who pay the bill.
Adequate terminals properly controlled
ana open through lines by rail and boat
are two absolutely essential conditions to
the usefulness Of inland waterway devel-
opment. I believe furthermore that the
railways should be prohibited from own
ing, controlling. or carrying any interest
IN the boat lines on our rivers, unless
under the strictest regulation and control
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission,
70 that the shippers interests may be
fully protected.
The National Forests.
If any proof were needed that forest
protection Is National duty. the recent
destruction Of forests in the west by fire
would supply 1t. Even with the aid Of
the army added to that Of the forest
service the loss has been severe. With
cut either 1t would have been vastly
greater.
But tho Forest service does more than
protect tho National forests against fire.
It makes them practically and increasing
~ useful as we'll. During the last year
for which have the figures the National
forests were used by $4,000 cattlemen
with their herds. 5000 sheepmen with
their flocks. 5000 timbermen with their
crews, and $1,000 miners. More than
5000 persons used them for other special
Industries. Nearly $4,000 settlers had
the free use Of wood. The total resident
population of the National forests is
about quarter of a million, which is
larger than the population Of certain
states. More than 100000 acres Of as-
ricultural land have been patented or
listed for patent within the forests, and
the reports of the forest officers show
that moro than 100000 people a year use
the forests for recreation camping, hunt
ing, fishing. and similar purposes. All
this Is done, Of course, without injury to
the timber, which has a value of at least
. thousand million dollars. Moreover.
the National forests protect the water
supply Of thousand cities and towns,
about 800 irrigation projects, and more
than 300 power projects not coun+ino