The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-08
PINCHOTs ADDRESS.
Former Chief Forester Recites the
History of Conservation Movement.


Clifford Pinchot addressed the con-
gress as follows:
Like nearly every great reform,
conservation first passed through a
period of agitation and general ap-
proval: During this period, it met
terfered with no mans private profit
From the beginning of the world, the
preaching of Righteousness in general
terms has been contemplated with en-
tire equanimity by the men who rise
in violent protest the moment their
own privilege, graft or advantage
comes practically into question. That
protest marks the second phase of the
reform.
within the last two years. conser-
walton has passed out of the realm of
an unimpeachable general principle
into that of practical fighting at
tempt to get things done. 1t has be-
gun to step on the toes of the bene-
Charles of unjust privilege. and the re-
sulting opposition, considering the
quarters whence it comes, is one of the
best of proofs that conservation is
live movement for the general good
1.-The people believe in conservation.
Now when any great movement has
esta blished itself SO firmly in the pub
lie mind that a direct attack upon it
will not pay, the regular method is to
approve it in general terms, and then
condemn its methods and its men. So
now the demand from the opponents
of conservation is not at all that we
shall abandon the principle of the
greatest good of us all for the longest
time in using our natural resources.
The soft pedal conservationists merely
ask that conservation as applied shall
be what they call rational, safe, and
sane. Safe and sane legislation, as
who use it most, means legislation not
unfriendly to the continued control of
our public affairs by the special inter-
ests. Safe and sane conservation, as
that expression is used by these same
men. means conservation so carefully
sterilized that it will do the special in
terests no harm and the people no
good.
The One Great obstacle.
when the conservation movement
began to tell, it developed without de-
lay that the one great obstacle to prac-
| teal progress lay in the political pow
er of the special interests. Every eff
| fort to conserve any natural resource
! for the general welfare was met by the
! legislative agents of the men who
wanted to exploit it for their private
profit. The effort to get things done
| in conservation taught us clearly, un-
| mistakably, and with little delay. that
so long as the political domination OF
their corrupt control of legislation
will carry with it the monopo1istic
control of the natural resources also
| This is what we face today in the eff
fort to apply conservation.
1.-The fundamental principles of con-
servation are few and simple. One OF
the first is that the natural resources
and natural advantages belong to al
the people, and should be developed
protected. and perpetuated directly fol
the benefit of all the people. and no.
ma inly for the profit of a few.
Another is that the natural re
sources still owned bv the people
which are necessaries of life. like Goa
and water power. should remain il
public ownership and should be dis
posed of only under lease for limited
periods, and with fair compensation t.
the public for the rights granted.
! LAS TO our waters:
? 81. Every stream should be mad
: useful for every purpose in which
! can be made to serve the public. TIL
, preparation of a broad plan is neede'
, without delay for the development o
our waterways for navigation, domes
= tic supply. irrigation. drainage an
! power.
= "2. Every power site now in state O
l federal control should be held so, an
should be disposed of only under leas
1 for a limited time and with fair com
Y pensation to the public.
v 80. In the development of our wa
E terways, the cooperation of the state
with the nation is essential for tn
:, general welfare.
Forests
n "As to our forests:
8 81. All forests necessary for the pub
: lie welfare should be in the publ