The Elbert County tribune., 1910-09-09
Roosevelt at St. Paul Advocates
New Methods.
WASTE AND MONOPOLY WRONG
Waterways and Forests Discussed
State and Federal controI-coun-
try Life Institute Is
Favored.


delivered an address that called forth
the warmest praise of those who
were fortunate enough to hear 1t. The
fact that the former president was to
speak attracted to the convention hall
4 tremendous crowd and the man
who has made conservation one of
the chief Issues in the United States
was given the heartiest kind of a
greeting
Taking National Efficiency" for his
general subject. Mr.. Roosevelt said:
America's reputation for efficiency
stands deservedy high throughout the
world. We are efficient probably to the
fu1l-linit that any nation can attain by
the methods hitherto used. There is great
reason to be proud of our achievements.
and yet no reason to believe that We can
not excel our past Through practically
unrcstrained individualism. we have
reached pitch of literary unexampled
material prosperity; although the distri-
button of this prosperity leaves much to
be desired from the standpoint of justice
and fair dealing. But we have not only
allowed tho 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-
nation and enormous wealth for their own
advantage. This development OF corpo-
rate action. It II true. is doubtless in
large part responsible for the gigantic de-
velopnent of our natural resources, but II
b not less responsible for waste. destruc-
hon. and monopoly on an equally gigantic
scale.
The method Of reckless and uncon-
trol1ed private use and waste has done
for US all the good Il ever can, and II 10
vuzA IN mt AvSA t<, ha( ~ ArA AyI
the evil It easily may. We have passed
the time when needless waste and de-
struction. and arrogant monopoly. arc
any longer permissible. Henceforth We
must seek National efficiency by q new
and better way. by the way Of the or
derby development and use. coupled with
the preservation. of our natural resources
By making the most OF what we have for
the beneht Of all of US. instead OF leaving
the sources OF material prosperity open
some Of the reasons why II IL wise that
We should abandon the old point of view.
and why. conservation has become = pa
sfiotio duty.
waterways Development.
Ono Of the greatest of our conservation
probIems is the wise and prompt Develop
mont and use Of tho waterwayp of this
% At the headwaters OF the Mississippi.
ere not upon the direct line OF tho pro-
posed lakes to the gulf deep waterway
Yet they are deeply interested in its
prompt completion. a. well a. in the
esepsnfnG and regulation Of the Missis-
sippi to tbs mouth Of the Missouri and to
the guIi. The project for . great trunk
waterway, an arm Of the sea, extending
from the Gulf Of Mexico to the Great
Lakes. should not be abandoned The
the development Of the rivers which flow
into II. should be pushed to completion
vigorously and without delay.
In nearly every river city from st. Paul
10 the gulf tho waterfront II controlled
BY the railways. Nearly every artificial
rectiy or indirectly. is under the same
control 1t goes without saying that (un-
Tess the people prevent II in advance) the
railways will attempt to take control of
our waterways as fast a. they are i'm
proved and completed: nor would blame
matter. We must see to II that adequate
terminals are provided in every city and
town on every improved waterway. termi-
mails open under reasonable conditions to
the use of every citizen. and riEidiy pro-
tected against monopoly; and we must
compel the railways to cooperate with
the waterways continuously. effectively,
and under reasonable conditions. Unless
We do 10 tho railway lines will refuse to
deliver freight to the boat lines. either
0pcuiy UT by innpo5fuH pruDIDNofy Conul-
lions. and the waterways once improved
will do comparatively little for the bene-
ht of tho people who pay the bill.
Adequate terminals properly controlled
ana open through lines by rail and boat
are two absolutely essential conditions &c
the usefulness OF inland waterway deve1-
opment. I believe furthermore that ths
railways should be prohibited from own.
ing. controlling. or carrying any interest
in the boat lines on our rivers. unless
under the str'ctest regulation and contro
of the Interstate Commerce Commission
80 that the shippers interests may bs
fully protected.
The National Forests.
II any proof were needed that forest
protection Is National duty. the recent
destruction of forests in the west by nrs
would supply II. Even with tho aid OF
the army added to that of the fores,
service the loss has been severe with.
out either II would have been vasti,
greater.
But tho forest service does more thar
protect the National forests against fire
II makes them practically and increasing
for which have the figures the Nationa
soreets were used by 1000 cattiemer
with their herds. 5000 sheepmen witt
their nocks. 5000 timbermen with Their
crews. and 5000 miners. More thar
5000 persons used them for other specia
industries Nearly 1900 settlers hat
the free use of wood, The total residen,
population OF the National forests 1,
about quarter of million. which 1,
larger than tho population OF certain
states. More than 100000 acres of ar
ncuiturai land have been patented o,
listed for patent within the forests ant
the reports of the forest officers show
that more than 10000 people year use
the forests for recreation. camping, hunt.
ins. fishing. and similar purposes All
= m xr<ftl. a.. A.
the timber. which has value OF at leas,
. thousand million dollars. Moreover
the National forests protect the water
supply of thousand cities and towns
about 800 irrigation projects. and more
than 800 power projects. not countina
The use of water for these and other pur.
poser by individual settlers
Country lfa lne<I<u&>