The San Francisco call., 1910-01-14
FIGHTS FOR CONSERVATION

shall rule.
FIGHTS FOR CONSERVATION
The statement, in part, is as follows:
AT this time l have no comment to
make on recent events. Whether in or
out of the government service | pro-
pose to stay in the fight for conserva-
ton and equal opportunity. Every
movement and measure. from whatever
source that tends to advance conserva-
tion and promote government by men
for human welfare l shall try to help.
Every movement and measure, from
whatever source, that hinders con-
servation and promotes government by
money for profit | shall endeavor to op-
pose. The supreme test of movements
and measures is the welfare of the
plain people ] am as ready to support
the administration when it moves
toward this paramount end as | am to
oppose it when it moves away
Pinchot expresses his profound re-
gret at leaving the forest service and
navs tribute to the faithfulness and
high quality of service rendered by the
men with whom he worked. Out of the
work of the forest service. he declares,
grew the conservation movement.
EXPRESSES NATIONAL CONVICTION
..roday that movement expresses one
Of our deepest national convictions
he says. ''and the principles for which
it stands are received as axloma tic
If is only the execution of them which
remains in doubt
THE great conference of governors
in the White House in May, 1908. led
to the appointment of the national con-
servation committee whose report gave
ms new conception of the value of
our national resources. 1t told us what
is needed for their prompt and orderly
development and for their safety and
perpetuatien.
together with President Roosevelts
message transmitting its report, the
recommendations of the commits
sion furnished complete state
ment of the conservation policy, met
our needs squarely and prescribed their
remedy. They include definite, practical
recommendations for the protection OF
forests against fire and for equitable
forest taxation"
Pinehot then traced the reeommen-
dations of the conference, applauding
and indorsing them all.
I'm word" he said, "the report OF
the commission and the message. taken
together, set forth a comprehensive,
definite statement for the conservation
of our natural resources.
OBsTRUCTIoNISTs AT WORK
"At this critical period. when the
goal was in sight. enemies of conserva-
ton in congress not only succeeded in
preventing an appropriation with which
TO pursue the work but attempted to
forbid it's progress by the Tawney
amendment TO the last sundry civil bill.
Thereupon the work of the national
conservation commission was stopped.
THE recommendations of the COM
A
men will agree that the situation is Sc
rious. The Tawney amendment was
more than mistakeFt was q deliber
ate betrayal of the future. The dangers
which confront the conservation move
ment today must be met by positive
action in congress. No action will be
equivalent to bad action and will have
the same results.
.JJnless congress acts the water pow
ers will pass into the hands of special
interests without charge and without
limit of time So with the phosphate
deposits on public lands when the
Withdrawals which now protect them
are removed SO with the enormously
valuable coal deposits in Alaska. which
the present law would Sell for SO per
acre.
THE danger of bad legislation is no
less serious The special interests must
no longer be allowed TO take what they
choose out of the great property of all
the people. Those who steal public
lands steal homes. from men and women
who need them Congress can stop the
piIiage, or congress can let it go on"
The statement concludes:
But these specific dangers of public
loss are merely parts of the great issues
between the special interests and the
rest of us That issue is whether this
country shall be managed by men for
human welfare. or by money for profit"