The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-09-06

and use, coupled with the preservation
OF our national resources, by maktny
the most Of what we have for the ben
eft of all of us. instead of leaving tn,
sources Of material prosperity open Il
tndiscrtminate exploitation. Thes,
are some of the reasons why 1t /:
wise that we should abandon the ole
point of view, and why conservation
has become patriotic duty.
Waterways.
One of the greatest Of our conserva-
rion problems is the wise and prompt
development and use of the waterways
OF this nation. The twin cities. lyina
as they do at the headwaters OF the
Mississippi are not upon the direct line
of the proposed lakes to the gulf deep
waterway. Yet they are deeply inter.
ested in its prompt completion, as we'll
as In the deepening and regulation OF
the Mississippi to the mouth of the
missouri and to the gulf. The project
| Tor 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 develop
ment of the rivers which flow into
/ 1t, should be pushed to completion
| vigorously and without delay. But we
must recognize at the outset that there
are certain conditions without which
the people cannot hope to deprive from
1t the benefits they have right to ex-
pect. "
In nearly every river from ST. Paul
to the gulf the waterfront is controlled
by the railways. Nearly every artific-
ial waterway in the United States,
either directly or indirectly, Is under
the same control. 1t goes without say
ing that unless the people prevent it in
advance, the railways will attempt to
take control of our waterways as fast
as they are improved and completed;
nor would l blame them If we, the peo-
pie, are supine in the matter. We must
see to it that adequate terminals are
provided in every city and town on
every improved waterway, terminals
open under reasona BILE conditions to use
OF every citizen, and rigidly protected
against monopoly; and we must COM
pei the railways to cooperate with the
waterways cautiously, effectively. and
under reasonable conditions Unless
we do so the railway lines will refuse
to deliver freight to the boat lines,
either openly or by imposing prohibit
tory conditions and the waterways
once improved will do comparatively
little for the benefit Of the people who
pay the bill.
Adequate terminals properly con-
trolled and open through lines by rail
and boat are two absolutely essential
conditions to the usefulness of inland
waterway development. | believe fur
therrnore that the railways should be |
prohibited from owning, controlling, or
carrying any interest in the boat lines
on our rivers, unless under the strict |
est regulation and control of the inter- |
state commerce commission, so that |
the shippers interests may be fully |
protected.
Drainage.
Where the states are unwilling or |
unable to undertake it the drainage of |
swamp or overflow lands by the fed |
eral government is a wise and neces- |
sary measure. Much of it must be
done by the nation in any case, as an
integral part of inland waterway de-
velopment. 1t affords a most promis-
ing field for cooperation between the
states and the nation.
The National Forests.
The people of the United States be-
lieve in the complete and rounded de- |
OF inland waterways for all |
the useful purposes they can be made |
to serve. They believe also in forest |
protection and forest extension. The
fight for our national forests in the
west has been won. After a campaign
In which the women of Minnesota did
work which should secure to them the
perpetual gratitude of their state, Min
1esota won her national forest, and
will keep it; but the fight to create the
southern Appalachian and White
Mountain forests in the east is not
ret over The bill has passed the
rouse, and will come before the SEN
Ute for a vote next February. The
PEOPLE of the United States, regardless
# party or section, should stand stolid-
Y behind it, and see that their repre-
entatives do likewise. /
If any proof were needed that forest I
is a national duty, the re-
ent destruction of forests In the west {
" fire would supply it. Even WITH {
he aid of the army added to that OF
he forest service the loss has been
evere. Without either it would have l
een vastly greater 1
But the forest service does more !
han protect the national forests |
gainst fire. 1t makes them practically |
nd increasingly useful as we'll. During
he last year for which have the fig I
res the national forests were used by
1000 cattlemen with their herds, 5000 !
heepmen with their flocks, 5000 tim j
with their crews, and $4,000 |