The state herald., 1910-01-21

sage on the conservation OF the ma
tons resources sent to the senate
and house of representatives by Pres.
ident Taft to-day:
To the Senate and House OF Representa-
tives:
In my annual message reserved the
subject of the conservation of our ma
uonal resources for disposition In II spe-
cial message. as follows:
In several departments there IL pre-
y scented the necessity for legislation look
ing to the further conservation of our
national resources. and the subject Is one
OF such Importance as to require a more
detailed and extended discussion than
can be entered upon In this communica-
ton. For that reason l shall take an
early opportunity to send special mes
sage to congress on the subject OF the
Improvement of our waterways; upon the
reclamation and irrigation OF arid semi
arid and swamp lands. upon the preser-
Walton OF our forests and the re-foresting
OF suitable areas: upon the re-classihca-
ton OF the public domain with view OF
separating from agricultural settlement
mineral. coal and phosphate lands and
sites belonging to the government bor-
dering on streams suitable for the utili-
zation of water power.
In 1850 we had public domain Of I, O55.-
sl1.Ss acres. We have now 10. asI, 0sl
acres. confined largely to the mountain
ranges and the arid and semi-arid plains.
We have. In addition. 36s. 055.s s5 acres OF
land in Alaska
Disbursement Of Public Lands.
The public lands were, during the EARL.
est administrations. treated as a national
asset for the liquidation of the public
debt and as n source of reward for our
soldiers and sailors. Later on they were
donated In large amounts In aid OF the
construction of wagon roads and rail
ways, In order TO open up regions In the
west then almost inaccessible. All the
principal land statutes were enacted more
than quarter Of century pro The
homestead act. the prescription and tim
ber-culture act. the coal land and the
mining acts were among these.
The rapid disposition of the public lands
under the early statutes and the lax
methods of distribution prevailing due
think. TO the belief that these lands
should rapidly pass into private owner
ship. gave rise to the impression that
the public domain was legitimate prey
for the INSCRIPTIONS and that II was not
contrary TO good morals to circumvent
the land laws. This proiral manner Of
disposition resulted In the passing OF
large areas OF valuable land and many
OF our national resources into the hands
of persons who felt little or no RESPONSE
biliiy for promoting the national well
rHfe tnTOugn their development.
Fraudulent Titles.
The truth Is that title to millions ut
acres OF public lands was frsuduientiy
obtained and that the right to recover q
large part OF such lands for the govern
ment long since ceased by reason Of stat
utes OF limitations. There has developed
in recent years dce1 concern In the
public mind respecting the preservation
and proper use OF our natural resources.
haan t~t,l -. al. -
toward the conservation OF the resources
OF the public domain. A vast amount Of
discussion has appeared In the public
prints In generalized form on this sub
ject. but there has been little practical
suggestion. II has been easy to 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 Is In accord with this
proposition. as they are with most
truisms. The problem. however. is how
20 save and how to utilize. how TO con-
serve and stIli develop. for no sane per.
son can contend that II 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
nauos anu .he prlhs'ns TO public ntten-
Won ., ,he ns.essy Ior preserving the
rc"ns puon. "onhin from further
spona'on Ior thc maintenance and ex-
whson oI our Io,rn resources ana Tor
me eh"eumeht OF Jaws amenhin. tho OBJ
eole,e statutes 20 us TO retain govern.
neh.hI con"o' over thht part or the pub
NC nomhin IN Whieh thcre are valuable
oeposns OF eoaI, OF on. ana OF phosphate.
and IN hnditioh .nereto' 10 preserve con-
uoi. "hurt eondiuohs favorable 10 the
pubhe' OF the 'ahns along the streams In
when the faii OF water can be made to
Generate power 70 be transmitted In the
form OF eretrioiv many miles TO tho
point OF It's use. known as water power
SITES
Inc ihNesusauons INTO Violations OF the
! pubic lana laws ana the prosecution OF
lana ifauns nave brrn vigorously con.
unueo under my administration. rs has
been th- WITHDRAWAL o. coal lands for
eihrrihcntlon and valuation and the TEN.
porafy withholding OF power sites Since
Mhfoh =. lt", temporary withhfawnir OF
power sites hnv" been made on 10:
streams and these Withdrawals therefore
cover - per cent more streams than