Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-05
No Time for Rhapsodies.

No Time for Rhapsodies.
AT the risk of wearying my audience ]
have attempted TO state as succinctiy as
may be the questions Of conservation as
they apply 20 the public domain OF the
government. the conditions 10 which they
apply and the proposed solution OF them.
In the outset alluded 70 the fact that
conservation had been made 70 include a
great deal more than what I have dis
cuSsed here. OF course, as ! have referred
only TO the public domain Of the federal
government, l have left untouched tho
wide field OF conservation with respect
to which a heavy responsibility rests
upon the states and individuals well.
But i think IL of the utmost Importance
that after the public attention has been
reused to the necessity of a change I'm
our general policy TO prevent waste and a
selfish appropriation to private and cor
porate purposes OF what should be con-
trolled for the public benefit, those who
urge conservation shall feel the necessity
Of making clear how conservation can he
practically carried out and shall propose
specific methods and legal provisions and
regulations to remedy actual adverse con-
dftions. i am bound 70 say that the time
mas come for halt in general rhapSodies
over conservation. making the word mean
every known good I'm the world for. after
the public attention has been reused
such appeals are OF doubtful utility and
course that the people should take, or
nave their legislators take in order to
promote the cause of conservation The
rousfng of emotions on a subject like this.
which has only dim outlines I'm the minds
of the people affected after a while ceases
TO be useful. and the whole movement
VIII. IL promoted on these lines die for
want of practical direction and OF demon
stration to the people that practical re-
forms are intended.
Il have referred to the course OF the
last administration and OF the present
one In making withdrawal OF govern
ment lands from entry under homestead
and other laws and OF Congress in re-
moving all doubt as to the validity OF
these Withdrawals as a great step in the
direction OF practical conservation. But
IL Is only one OF two necessary steps to
effect what should be >our purpose II
has produced a status quo and prevented
waste and irrevocable disposition OF the
lands until the method for their proper
disposition can be formulated. But IL Is
or the utmost importance that such
Withdrawals should not be regarded as
the f1nal step In the course OF conserva-
ton. and that the idea should not be al
lowed TO spread that conservation Is the
tying up OF the natural resources Of the
government for indefinite Withholding
from use and the remission to remote
generations to decide what ought to be-
done with these means OF promoting
present general human comfort and prog
Tess FOR. III SO, IL Is certain TO arouse
the greatest opposition to conservation
as a cause, and IL IL were a correct ex.
preston OF the purpose OF conservation
lists IL ought to arouse this opposition.
Real conservation involves WISE non
wasteful use i'm the present generation,
with every possible means OF preserva-
ton for succeeding generations: and
though the problem to secure this end
may be difficult, the burden Is on the
present generation promptly to solve Il
and not to run away from IL as towards.
lest in the attempt to meet IL we may
make some mistake AS ! have said
elsewhere. the problem is how TO save
and how to utilize. how TO conserve and
still develop: for sane person can
contend that II is for the common good
that natures blessings should be stored
only for unborn generations.
Il beg of you. therefore. in your de-
alterations and in your informal discus
sions. when men come forward to sug-
gest evils that promotion of conservation
is TO remedy, that you invite them 10
point out the specific evils and the spe-
cific remedies: that you invite them to
come down to details in order that their
discussions may flow into channels that
shall be useful rather than into periods
that shall be eloquent and entertaining
without shedding real light on the sub
ject. The people should be shown exactly
what is needed in order that they make
their representatives in Congress and the
state legislature do their intelligent bid
ding.