The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-09-06

lsuDJect.
II there is one subject on which
president Taft's administration has
been criticised IL has been that of
the conservation OF natural resour-
ces. particularly as relating to the
disposition of coal claims In Alaska
Ton which latter topic by the way,
public attention is called to the fact
that no claims have been allowed
under his Administrations Yester-
day at st. Paul the president de-
| livered an exhaustive address, and
very appropriately he reviewed the
conduct of his administration toward
this issue, pointed out the policy he
is trying to follow. the legislation
needed, and the obstacles encount-
lered.
Mr.. Taft has no patience with
"rhapsodies over conservation"
which make it the synonym for
"every known good IN the world"
He conceives conservation to mean
wise, non-wasteful use in the pres
|ent generation, with every possible
means of preservation for succeed
ing generations. The problem is
how to save and how to utilize; how
to conserve and still develop: for no
sane man will contend that Z Is
for the common good that natures
blessings should be stored only for
unborn generations"
He respects the complaints
a Al. r.
reservations. which have included
arabic land good for demonstrating.
and said this is being opened as
rapidly as possible. He keenly
recognizes the impulse of. the
whole new community to encourage
the coming of population, the in !
crease of settlement and the open |
ing up of business, and realizes that
In the newer part of the country |
with expansion and devcl-
,pment is so strong that danger is
'coffed at or ignored. In this, per-
laps. unconsciously he portrays the
sentiment of the northwest, which |
$ personified in Ballinger, secretary |
" the interior.
The president favors the leasing
Il coal lands at a stated rental for
period OF years under regulation to
'revent waste. In this connection
e reviews the Cunningham claims
n Alaska, recites the fact that they
ave not been allowed, and says,
hat regardless of their legality or
LEGALITY, the law with reference to
Alaskan claims is too loose.
He favors the extension of author
ty to reserve forest improvement 4
n the means OF preventing fires, and
I demonstration. He says that ,
the forests are held
nder private ownership and must
e protected by the states.
AS to water power sites he mem
ions two ways OF dealing with
hem for the federal government to
etain control Of those in public
ands or to relinquish authority to
he states upon condition that the
tates do not dispose of them, but
ease them, for limited terms with
provisions for safeguarding the
lights anad interests Of the public.
He is opposed to the federal gov
reclaiming state lands for
he states.
He recites the following figures:
The present administration has
xcluded from the forest reserves
ESQ. 600 acres not timbered, and l
dded $500, 900. The bureau OF
orestry has initiated reforestration
n 5000 acres. In the forest lands
re grazing 100000 cattle, 1884,
90 horses and $4,000 sheep.
Thich brought a revenue to the gov
of s9s6.715, and timber
old realized s1.043 900 in a yean
This administration has with
rawn from entry 77,64S.OOO acres
Z coal lands. making a total of
5,515. 1000 acres withdrawn, out OF
Thich 1871 900 have been CLASH
ed and found not TO contain coal
In Alaska there are known to be
We billion tons of coal, but this is
D underestimate and there are six
lion tons along the coast.
The speech stamps Mr.. Taft as an
1emotional. practical conservation
I. who entertains no dreams OF al
ting as Hampton's Magazine sug- :
ssts the Alaskan lands among all 4,
items. so that every man shall
ave 100000 worth; nor is he in /.
med TO see any more OF the public
omain secured by private interests
trough fraud. He asks for intelli-
INT work. not flights of fancy. be- !
otten of figures beyond ones COM
and he Is entitled TO II.