Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-28
Clifford Pinchot Tells What
American People Want.
LACK FAITH IN CONGRESS
Declares They Think Administration
Has Broken Pledges.
BREAKING TIES OF PARTY
Former Forester Believes They Are
Looking to Progressives, Both Re-
publican and Democratic.

anu OSIuOCTdClC.
DETROIT, Mich, October 2S.-Gifford
Pinchot former head of the United States
bureau Of forestry. delivered an address
this afternoon at the Hotel Pontchartrain
at luncheon given by the Detroit board
Of commerce.
AS originally planned the address was
to have been given at a banquet this
evening, but changes in Mr.. Pinchot' S
itinerary necessitated his early departure
for Indianapolis and the luncheon was
substituted for the banquet.
Mr.. Pinchot spoke in part as follows:
Analysis of Public Opinion.
"Since early in June have been trav-
cling almost continuously, and have had
a fair chance to come in contact with
and estimate public sentiment in all the
great divisions of our country. Using the
information thus secured from contact
with men Of many occupations and varie-
ties Of political belief in many localities,
have tried to write down an estimate
OF the composite opinion of the voters Of
sissippi valley and the Pacific coast on
certain public questions What I have
written makes no pretense to be complete.
And the task Is not without difficulty.
Opinions f1ercely held in some parts of
the country in others have not yet risen
to the surface as public issues. The I'M
DERIVING fact. as I found 1t everywhere,
was deep-seated, powerful indignation over
the inequality of opportunity everywhere
known to exist. and the firm determine
that soon.
If We could hear the voice of all the
people upon some current issues 1t would,
think, declare itself in substance as fol-
lows:
Composite of Belief.
Il believe the people should directly
nominate. elect, control and recall their
own legislative representatives.
Il believe in publicity of campaign
contributions and expenses both befor.
and after election. and, in strictly limit
ing by law the amount that may be
spent and the manner Of spending 1t.
Il believe that 1t should be unlawful
for any lawmaker or other public serv-
ant to be emproyed by or TO receive
compensation from any interstate or pub
lie servant appointed and not elected to
office to be an of1cer in any political
party or organization or to, attend any
political convention.
II believe it should be unlawful for any
lobbyist or other representative Of any,
ure to any legislator or legislative COM
mittee without first publicly registering
mis- name. the nature of his compensate ton
and the name Of his employer.
II believe that the most pressing patri-
otto duty of today is to revive popular
government by driving the special inter-
ests out Of politics, and that complete
publicity Of all the affairs Of every in
-erstate and public service corporation
is necessary to that end.
Rights Of Corporations.
II believe that corporations have GER
tain rights that should be respected. but
duties, and they should have no repre-
sentatives in Congress. in the cabinet OF
on the bench.
II believe that the special interests,
through their control Of politics and
business. and principally by means of
the tariff, are mainly responsible for the
exorbitant cost Of living.
Il believe that the Payne-Aldrich tar
iff was made by the servants of special
privilege for the benefit and according to
the orders of their masters, and that
when Congress and the President enacted
and approved 1t. over the just protest
OF the progressives. they broke faith
Win the people.
Il believe that the credit for good laws
recently passed in Congress belongs to
the progressives Of both parties, who
amended bad bills in the public interest,
rather than to the administration. which
drafted and advocated the bad bills.
II believe that the old party ties are
slipping off that the prOgressives in both
parties are the true representatives of
their parties and Of the people. and that
the public welfare has become stronger
<tr,A <rtt Nc hon ffcov,
success
Confidence in Congress Lost.
II believe that the people have lost
confidence in Congress. because Congress
as a whole no longer represents the people
who elect 1t. but the special interests who
control It,
Il believe that Cannon and Aldrich and
all they represent. are passing rapidly
away, and that better time is coming
when the people will control.
II believe the people must protect them
selves against the special interests IN
state and nation alike; that they can best
protect themselves by the power or the
nation against corporations operating
across state lines. and that the great
special interests must not be permitted
to take refuge from all control by spec
ously raising the issue of states rights.
Il believe that our laws and institutions
should be planned, made and changed
solely as the necessities, advantages and
difficulties of the people require, and not
for the hepefit of the special interests.
Servants of the People.
Il believe that Presidents, cabinets, law
makers, officials and judges are all serv-
ants Of the people: that they hold Office
for the benefit of no special class or po-
iitical party. but solely for the benefit
OF the people; and that they may justly
be held responsible by the people for
what they do.
II believe that our local, state and ma
tional governments can and should be run
as honestly and efficiently as any well
managed private business: that they
should be free from partisan political in
terference, and that more should be done
by the people acting through the govern
ment for their own protection, instruction
and assistance rather than less.
Il believe that the people of the United
States have the right. and can be trusted
to decide and direct how their own prop
erty and their own affairs shall be hand
led.
II believe that the people have rights
In all natural resources even when pri-
yately owned; and that these resources
must be managed and used not for pri-
vate advantage alone. but likewise SO as
to promote and not to endanger the COM
mon good. Those which stiil remain in
the hands of the people should be kept
there. and should be developed and adj
ministered for the benefit of US all.
Trustees Of the Future.