The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-09-06

In the world. FOR. after the pub
lie attention has been reused.
such appeals are Of doubtful
uflity and do not direct tho pub
lie TO the specific course that The
people should take. or have .hoir
legisiators take. IN order 20 pro-
The Tousing or emotions on
subject like this. which has only
dim outlines IN the minds Of tho
people affected. after n while
ceases 70 be useful. ana me
whole movement will n promoted
on these lines die for want OF
practical direction and OF demon-
stration % tho people that prnc-
tcal reforms are Intended
President Tafts So Paul address.
President Taft's conservation speech
1T ST. Paul was : clear and concise
statement Of conditions as they exist
today and a summing up OF what has
been done In tho past and what II IS
proposed TO do In the future. There
r. no appeal to passion or prejudice.
and no inputations rejecting upon
tho good Intentions OF any state go
eminent. corporation or Individual.
IL Is the habit OF the President. con-
trnctod by long years OF service upon
the bench. TO study the facts presented
carefully before arriving at n conclu-
sion and expressing an opinion. His
speech on conservation hears evidence
that ne has not departed from his
usual custom.
Dividing hts subject into seven parts.
Mr.. Taft first takes I'D agricultural
lands. onumerating the principal laws
under which tracts OF such lands may
be obtained and reaching the conclu-
sion that there Is no crying need for
radical reform IN tho method OF dis
posing Of what are really agricultural
lands
Under this head the President takes
up the subject OF reclamation and IN
dorses the action Of Congress at tho
last session I'm providing for the issu-
nnce Of bonds TO complete the projects
on hand. at the same time putting his
foot down upon the proposition that
the government appropriate money for
the drainage OF swamp lands now in
private ownership.
Tho President also speaks a good
word for the enlarged homestead law.
with the draftins OF which Senator
Smoot Of this state had much TO do.
and expresses the opinion that the act
had encouraged the successful farm
ing Of lands in the semi-srid regions.
Tho stone and timber law Mr.. Taft
beiieves should be repealed.
Taking up the subject OF mineral
land laws. the President concludes
that the rules Of ownership and dis
position having been fixed by custom
in the west before they were written
into the books. Il would not be wise 70
attempt 20 change them. Mr.. Taft
does not believe it would be wise TO
lease such mineral lands and impose
royalties He also expresses the opin-
ion that the apex theory Of tracing
tide 70 lode, now embodied in the
law. should DO allowed 20 stand.
Forest lands next occupy the atten-
ton OF the executive. The conserva-
ton question arose over the disposi.
ton OF these lands. Mr. Taft agree,
that in times past tho forests were
ruthlessly destroyed. and that It f.
necessary TO safeguard them in the IN.
ture.
According to tho figures given tn,
United states owns IA. 100000 acre.
OF forest lands. exclusive Of Alaska
These lands are now under the juris
diction OF the forestry bureau. and tn,
President proposes 20 advocate the re
peal % the law which prohibits tn,
reservation Of any more forest land
in Oregon. Washington. Idaho. Mon
tsna. Colorado and Wyiming.
At the same time he calls attention
20 the fact that hundreds Of thousand
OF acres OF agricultural lands ar,
being eliminated from the reserve
and restored to entry. thereby allayinl
much Of the irritation I'm the state
where these lands are located.
Three-fourths Of the timber in tn
United States IS I'm private ownership
only per cent OF which IS properl.
cared for under the modern idea o
forestry The federal government
being without juridiction. Mr.. Taft 6
Of the opinion that the state legisla
lures should take such action as lie
within their power.
The President does not see IN
utility Of further federal Legislation
except for the purpose OF better pro
tecting the timber against fire an
vesting the excel tive with fun powe
20 make forest reservations. Thi
power was exercised by AIr. Roosevelt
Doubt having arisen as 20 the vaiidit
OF such Withdrawals. Congress veste
the necessary authority I'm Mr.. Tar
limitations being set in certain statei
The acts Of Mr.. Roosevelt were sui
sequcntiy legaiized by President Tar
who confirmed all the Withdrawal
previously made.
Regarding IL AZ one Of the most i'm
portant subjects 90 be considered