Evening journal., 1910-01-14
TAFT URGES
CONSERVATION
contInued ZION Flrst Page.

through their development. The truth Is
that title 10 millions of acres Of public
lands was fraudulently obtained, and that
the right 60 recover "a large part OF such
lands for the Government long since
ceased by reason Of statutes Of limitation.
There has developed I'm recent years
a deep concrn In the public mind respect
ing the preservation and proper use Of our
natural resources. This has been particu-
lariy directed toward the conservation OF
the resources OF the public domain. The
problem is how 10 save and how
to utilize, how to conserve and stlI de-
veiop; for no sane person can contend
that It is for the common good that Ma
ture's blessings are only for unborn gen.
erations.
REFORMS OF PREDECESSOR.
Among the most noteworthy reforms
Initiated by my distinguished predecessor
were the vigorous prosecution OF land
fraud and the bringing TO public attention
Of the necessity for preserving the re-
naming public domain from further spoil
alton. for the maintenance and extension
OF our forest resources, and for the en-
actment OF laws amending the obsolete
statutes 80 os to retain governmental con-
troll over that part OF the public domain
in which there are valuable deposits OF
coal, OF oil. and of phosphate. and. In adj
dition thereto, 70 preserve control, under
conditions, favorable 20 tho public, OF the
lands along the streams in which the fall
Of water can be made to generate power
10 be transmitted in the form Of electricity
many miles to the point OF it's use, known
as 'water-power sites.
"The investigations into violations Of
the public land laws and the prosecution
OF land frauds have been vigorously con-
tinued under my administration, as has
been the withdrawal OF coal lands for
classification and valuation and the tenn
porary Withholding OF power sites.
Since March 4, 1909, temporary with
drawals of power sites have been made
on 102 streams and these Withdrawals
therefore cover 229 per cent more streams
than we're covered by the Withdrawals
made prior TO that date.
zone OF the most pressing needs I'm the
matter Of public land reform Is that lands
should be classified according to their
principal value or use. This ought to be
done by that Department whose force is
]
done by tho Interior Department through
the Geological Survey. Much Of the con-
fusion. fraud. and contention which has
existed In the past has arisen from the
lack OF an official and determinative
classification Of the public lands and their
contents.
'Tt is now proposed to dispose OF agri-
cultural lands as such, and at the same
time 70 reserve for other disposition tho
treasure of coal, oil, asphaltum, natural
gas. and phosphate contained therein. This
may be best accomplished by separating
the right TO mine from the title 70 the
surface. giving the necessary use OF 50
much OF the latter as may be required for
the extraction of the deposits. Tho sur
face might be disposed Of as agricultural
land Under the general agricultural stat
utes. whilo the coal or other mineral could
be disposed Of by lease on a royalty basis,
with provisions requiring a certain amount
Of development each year. and In order
TO prevent the use and cession of such
lands with others Of similar character TO
as 20 constitute a monopoly forbidden by
law. the lease should contain suitable pro-
vision subjecting 10 forfeiture the inter-
est OF persons participating in such mo-
nopoiy. Such law should apply to Alaska
as well as TO tho United states,
ut is exceedingly difficult to frame a
statute to retain Government control over
a property to be developed by private
capital in such manner as TO secure the
governmental purpose and at the same
time not frighten away the Investment OF
the necessary capital. Hence, it may be
necessary by laws that are really only ex-
detrimental to determine from their prac-
tical operation what is tho best methee
: of securing tho result aimed at.
"NVith respect 20 the public land which
, Lies along the streams Offering opportunit'
TO convert water power into transmissibl'
electricity. another important phase o.
tho public-land question is presented
4 There are valuable water-power site
] through all the public land states. Th'
. opinion Is held that the transfer of SOW
ereirnty from the Federal Government
10 tho territorial governments as the,
become states. included tho water powel
0 in the rivers except so far as that oWne'
;. by riparian proprietors. / do not think !
4 necessary TO so into discussion OF TN
9 somewhat mooted question OF law 1
seems 10 me Sutitcicnt 10 Say thol Ah
? man who owns and controls the land alonl
the stream from which tho power is to b
converted and transmitted. owns lan'
y which IS indispensable 10 tho conversion
7 and uso OF that power. cannot conceiv
: how tho power in streams flowing througl
public lands can be made available at al
except by using the land itself as tn
20 site for the construction.of the plant b.
4 which the power is generated and con
n verted and securing a right of way there
q over for transmission lines. Under thes
conditions, 81 the Government owns IN
: adjacent land-lndeedI IL The Govern
IT nent IL the riparian owner-it may con
r. troll the use Of the water power by impos
: ing proper condtons on. tho disposition o
It tho land necessary in tho creation an
e'f utilization Of the water mower.
n eTho development in electrical appll
auces for the conversion Of the waite
y power into electricity 70 be transmitte
i long distances has progressed so far tina
Il Is no longer problematical. but It is
certain Inference that in the future th
power OF the water falling IN tho stream
Al 10 a large extent will take the place G
a natural fuels. In the disposition Of III
e domain already granted, many water
oh