Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-09-09

st. Paul, MINI, Sept. 7.-Equaling
IN interest the address Of President
Tart at the opening of the conserva
ton congress was the speech of Theo-
odore Roosevelt delivered today. The
hall was crowded to the doors by
people anxious to hear the former
president, and they frequently cheered
MS utterances. His subject was "Na-
tional Efficiency" and he spoke as fol-
lows: ...
Americas reputation for efficiency
stanGs deservedy high throughout the
wcria. we are efficient probably to the
!uii-iimit that any nation can attain by
the methods hitherto used There is great
reason to be proud OF our achievements,
nho YET no reason to believe that we can
not excel our past. Through a practically
unrestrained individualism, we have
reached a pitch Of literary unexampled
material prosperity: although the distri-
outlon OF this prosperity leaves much to
DC desired from the standpoint Of justice
ana fair dealing But we have not only
allowed the individual free hand, which
was IN the main right; we have also al
lowed great corporations to act as though
they were individuals, and to exercise the
rights OF individuals in addition to using
the vast combined power Of high organi-
cation and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development Of corpo-
rate action, 1t is true, Is doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopnent Of our natural resources. but II
Is not less responsible for waste, destruc-
ton. and monopoly on an equally gigantic
scale. =
WAL H4A -
trolled private use and waste has done
for us all the good it ever can, and 1t is
time to put an end to It before 1t does all
the evil 1t easily NAV We have passed
the time when needless waste and de-
struction, and arrogant monopoly, are
any longer permissible. Henceforth we
must seek National efficiency by new
and better way. by the way Of tho or
derby development and use, coupled with
the preservation, Of our natural resources
by making the most Of what we have for
the benefit Of all Of us. instead Of leaving
the sources Of material prosperity open
to indiscriminate exp,oitati ton. These are
some Of the reasons why It Is wise that
we should abandon the old point Of view.
and why conservation has become a pa
triotic duty. . =
Waterways Development.
problems is the wise and prompt develop
ment and use OF the waterways Of this
Nation. The Twin Cities. lying as they
do at the hcadwaters OF the Mississippi,
arc not upon the direct line Of the pro-
posed lakes to the gulf deep waterway.
Yet they are deeply interested In its
prompt completion. rs well as IN the
deepening and regulation Of the 'M'ssis-
s'ppi tn the mouth of the Missouri and to
the gull The project for a great trunk
waterway An arm nf the sea. extending
from the Gnle OF Mexico to the Great
Lakes, should not be abandoned. Tho
lakes to the gulf deep VT terwav. and
the develou,nent Of the rivers which flow
into 1T. should he rushed to completion
vigorously and without DELAY.
In nearly every river c'sv from st. Panl
20 the gulf Ire waterfront is Centralized
by the RAILWAYS Nearly every artificial
waterway IN the United stu tes, either d.
rectly or Indirectly. Is under the Same
control. 1t goes without saving that f''n-
legs the peoplc rrevent It 4, advarre\ the
railways will attennt to take control OF
our waterways as FIST as the" sre inn
proved and completed nor would blame
them, II we. the people. are snnine In the
matter. We must see tn It that adequate
terminals are provided in crarv r'tv md
town on every improved waterway. terTni-
nails open under reasonable Conditions TO
the use Of every citizen. and rigidly pro-
tected against monopoly: and we m,Tt
compel the railways 70 r"onera'e with
the waterways continuously. effectively,
and under reasonable conditions. TT"le~s
we do so the railway lines will refuse IL
deliver freight to the boat lines. e':her
openly or bv imposing prohbitorr ccndi-
tons and the WATERWAYS once improved
will do comparatively little for the bcne
fit Of the people who pay the bill.
Adequate terminals properly cont-"lied
and open through fines nv rail and boat
are two absolutely essential conditions to
the usefulness Of inland waterway devel-
opment. ! believe Furthermore that the
railways should he prohibited from own
ing. controlling. or carrying any interest
IN the boat lines on our rivers unless
under the strtctest regulation and control
OF the Inter State Commerce Commission.
~ thst nc shippers interests may be
fully protected.
The National Forests.
n any, proof were needed that forest
protection Is a National duty. the recent
destruction Of forests In the west by FIRE
would supply II. Even with the aid Of
the army added to that of the forest
service the loss has been severe. With
out either II would have been vastly
greater. -
But tho forest service does more than
r. r. :, aI,as ttar, rracticaIlv ana incres sing
=, ',.afml 80 waIf During the last year
~ ,,h,ch : nave the f7rures the National
forests we're used by 1000 cattlemen
Mi, t,s;,. herds. 5000 stcer,ncn with
thn;r anc.. 5oo1 tinbermen with their
e .sm ond x mo miners. More than
M r.r.nn. u.ed them for otter special
ind,etr;es Nearly 1900 settlers had
49, fres ,,se OF wood. The total resident
,,nn,,,a+ion NJ the National forests is
about a quarter Of a million, which is
sac s.s.,., ia nave hen natented or
listed for patent within the forests. and
Az ,,nor+s ~ the forest officers show