The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1910-01-27

Washington.-The president trans.
mitted to congress a special message
on the subject OF the conservation of
The nations natural resources. In
substance II was as follows:
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
uves.
In my annual message I reserved the
subject OF the conservation OF our ma
tlonh resources for disposition in a spe-
cial message. as follows:
In several departments there IL pre-
sented the necessity for legislation look
ing 10 the further conservation OF our
national resources. and the subject Is one
Of such Importance NJ 20 require a more
detailed and extended discussion than
can be entered upon IN this communion
uon For that reason I shall take an
early opportunity to send special mes
sage 10 congress on the subject OF the
Improvement ~ our waterways: upon the
reclamation and irrigation Of arid. semi
arid and swamp lands. upon the preser-
walton of our forests and the re-forestinR
of suitable areas. upon the re-classinca-
ton OF the public domain with n view OF
separating from agricultural settlement
mineral coal and phosphate lands and
sites belonging TO the government bor-
ierinE on streams suSablo for the utilI-
taiion - water power
hl,NS acres We have now T3i.zs4Osi
acres, confined largeiy 20 tho mountain
ranges and the arid and semi-arid plans
We have. In addition scs 0s5. g75 ncr,s %
land q. Alaska.
Disbursement OF Public Lands.
Tho public lands were. during the earli-
at administrations. treated as a national
asset for the liquidation OF the public
debt and as n source 81 reward for our
nTIIII IaHra WrNI all n
3onatsd In large amounts In aid OF the
construction % wagon roads and rail-
ways. IN order 70 open M regions IN tho
vest then almost inaccessible. All the
principal land statutes were enacted more
than n quarter of a century ago. The
homestead act. the prescription and tim
ber-culture act. the coal land and the
mining acts were among these
Fraudulent Titles.
The truth ~ that title 20 millions OF
acfes % public lands was fraudulentiy
obtained and that the right 10 recover n
large part % such lands for the govern
ment long since ceased by reason OF stat
utes ~ limitations. There has developed
IN recent years a deep concern in the
public mind respecting the preservation
and proper use OF our natural resources.
This has been particularly directed
toward the conservation OF the resources
% the public domain. A vast amount OF
discussion has appeared IN the public
prints In generalized form on this sub
ieot. but there has been little practical
suggestion. IL has been easy 10 say that
the natural resources In fuel supply. In
forests. In water power. and in other
public utilities. must be saved from
waste. monopoly. and other abuses. and
the general public II in accord with this
proposition, as they are with most
truisms. The problem, however, IL how
serve and stlll develop. for no sane per-
son can contend that Il Is for the com
mon good that natures blessings are
only for unborn generations.
Noteworthy Reforms.
Among the most noteworthy reforms
Initiated by my distinguished predecessor
were the vigorous prosecution OF land
frauds and the bringing 10 public atten-
ton OF the necessity for preserving the
remaining public domain from further
sponation. for the maintenance and ex-
tension OF our forest resources and for
the enactment OF laws amending the OBJ
solete statutes so as TO retain govern
mental control over that part OF the pub
iic domain In which there are valuable
deposits OF coal. OF oil. and of phosphate.
and. IN addition thereto. 10 preserve con-
troll. under conditions favorable 20 the
public. OF the lands along the streams In
which the fall OF water can be made 90
generate power 20 be transmitted In the
form OF electricity many miles TO the
point OF It's use. known as water power
sites.
The present statutes, except so far
as they dispose OF the precious metals /
and the purely agricultural lands, are
not adapted to carry out the moders
view OF the best disposition OF public |
lands to private ownership. under con-
ditions Offering on the one hand sum-
Client inducement TO private capital TO |
take them over for proper develop
ment. with restrictive conditions on
the other which shall secure 10 the
public that character OF control which |
will prevent a monopoly or misuse Of
the lands or their products The power |
OF the secretary OF the interior To with
draw from the operation OF existing
statutes tracts OF land, the disposition |
Of which under such statutes would |
be detrimental TO the public interests. |
IN not clear or satisfactory This power |
has been exercised In the interest OF |
the public with the hope that congress
might affirm the action OF the eNecu- |
tive by laws adapted Go the new condi- |
n