Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-06
PLACE TRUST IN NATION,
STATES ARE TOO WEAK
Astounded at the Progress Made
During His Absence.
ABUSES IN NAME OF CAUSE
Friends OF Policy Do Il Harm
Through Their Ignorance.
Tasks for the
Future.

Future.
ST PAUL September 6.-Theodore
Roosevelt's speech on conservation. delav-
cred today at the national conservation
congress. was received with the widest
applause. II was several minutes after he
arose to speak before he could make him
self heard. so persistently did the thronx
cheer him
In his speech Col. Roosevelt outlined his
ideas as to conservation. Saying that the
reckless and uncontrolled waste OF the
past must be stopped. he declared himself
in favor Of rigid steps to preserve the
natural resources for the bene-
fit OF the whole people and to check the
power OF monopoiistic corporations.
Clifford Pinchot. who was absent
making a speech against Representative
Tawney yesterday. while President Taft
was here. returned today and was slated
by the arrangement committee to par
ticipate In the functions prepared for
the entertainment OF Col Roosevelt.
Program for the Day.
The days program OF the conserve
tion congress follows:
Invocation-Rev. DIR. J. s. Montgomery
OF Minneapolis.
Reports of state conservation COM
mittees.
Address-"National Emciency," BY
Theodore Roosevelt
Appointment of committees.
Appointment of presiding oficerA
Address-Miss Mabel Boardman
Address-Francis J. Heney OF San
Francisco.
Address-Herbert Knox Smith, Unitsd
States commissioner of corporations.
Addrress-Gov. Hadley OF Missouri.
General discussion.
Address-B A. Fowler. president Of
the National Irrigation Congress.
Auditorium Is Besieged.
Two hours before Col. Roosevelt arrived
at the auditorium the crowd began to f1le
into the building by doors reserved for
those holding tickets. At IL 10 the doors
were thrown open to the general public
and within five minutes there was only
sta nding room left.
Even that was soon taken. President
Baker called the meeting TO order. and
called for reports of the committee on
resolutions pending the arrival of COL
Roosevelt. who was holding a conference
at the st. Paul Hotel with the newspaper
men.
American Efficiency High.
Americas reputation for efficiency
stands deservedly high throughout the
world" said Col Roosevelt I'VE are
efficient probably to the full limit
that any nation can attain by
the methods hitherto used. There Is
great reason to be proud OF our achieve
ments. and yet no reason to believe that
we cannot excel our past. Through
practically unrestrained individualism. We
have reached a pitch OF literally unex-
ampled material prosperity: although the
distribution of this prosperity leaves
much to be desired from the standpoint
of justice and fair dealing. But We
have not only allowed the individual
free hand. which was in the main right:
we have also allowed 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 organization and enor-
nous wealth for their own advantage
This development OF corporate action. IL
sponsible for the gigantic development
of our natural resources, but II is not
less responsible for waste. destruction
and monopoly on an equally giganuc
scale.
..The method OF reckless and uncon-
trolled private use and waste has done
for us all the good il ever can. and IL
is time to put an end to II before IL does
all the evil II easily may We have passed
the time when needless waste and de-
any longer permissible. Henceforth We
must seek national efficiency by a new
and q better way, by the way OF tns
orderly development and use, lcoupied
with the preservation, OF our national re-
by making the most OF what we
have for the benefit of all of US. instead
Of leaving the sources of material pros
perity open to indiscriminate exploita-
ton. These are some OF the reasons
why IL is wise that we should abandon
the old point Of view. and why conser.
yation has become patriotic duty
Control of Waterways.
Discussing the use Of waterways and
their development. he said:
In nearly every river city from st.
Paul to the gulf the waterfront is con-
trolled by the railways. Nearly every
artificial waterway in the United States.
either directly or indirectly. is under the
same control. IL goes without saying
that unless the people prevent IL In al
vance the railways will attempt TO take
control of our waterways as fast as tney
are improved and completed: nor would
blame them IL we, the people. are supine
In the matter. We must see TO II that
adequate terminals are provided In
avery city and town on every I'M
proved waterway-terminals open under
rea asonable conditions to the use OF every
.itizen and rigidly protected against
and we must compel the rail-
ways to cooperate with the waterways
.onahle conditions Unless we do so the
-aiIway lines will refuse to deliver freight
20 the boat lines. either openly or by i'm
,osing prohibitory conditions. and the
xaterways once improved viii do COM
,arafftely little for the benefit OF the peo-
Die who pay the bill.
Fight for National Eorssts-
"rhe people Of the United States be-
ra.,nAAA A.