Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-06

vince them that II is right. This much
We have accomplished. ut there re-
mains much to be cleared up. and many
MISUNDERSTANDING to be removed. These
MISUNDERSTANDING are due In part az
least to direct misrepresentation py tne
men TO whose interest IL is that conserva-
ton should not prosper. For example,
we find Il constantly said by men who
should know better that temporary
Withdrawals such as the withdrawals OF
coal land. will permanently check ue
velopment Yet the fact IS that these
Withdrawals have no purpose except 10
prevent the coal lands from passing into
private ownership until Congress can pass
laws to open them to development unoe.
conditions just alike to the PUBIC, anu
to the men who VIII 90 the uesu.opi ~
II there is delay the responsibility for
1t rests not on the men who made the
Withdrawals to protect the public inter-
est, but on those who prevent CONGRESS
from passing wise legislation, and so
putting an end to the need for with
drawals.
Abuses committed In the name OF
Just cause are familiar to all OF US. Many
unwise things are done and many I'M
wise measures are advocated in the name
OF conservation, either through fgnor-
ance or by those whose interest lies not
in promoting the movement, but in re-
tarding H. For example. to stop water
power development by needless refusal to
issue permits for water power to private
irrigation works on the public lands in
evitably leads many men. friendly 10
conservation and believers In its general
principles. to assume that its practicai
application Is necessarily a check upon
progress Nothing could be more mis-
leading. The idea. widely circulated or
late that conservation means locking up
the natural resources for the exclusive
use Of later generations, Is wholly mis-
leading. Our purpose is to make run use
ri1 nr
sons and daughters as well as ourselves
just as a farmer uses his farm in ways
TO preserve its future usefulness Con
servation is the road TO national efn-
cheney. and 1t stands for ample and wise
development.
Marvellous Progress Made.
But in spite OF these difficulties. most
OF which are doubtless inevitable In any
movement of this kind. conservation mas
made marvellous progress. have oeen
astounded and delighted on my return
from abroad at the progress mace "niie
I was away We have right TO congrat-
Mate ourselves on this marvellous prog
ross hut there is no reason for believing
that the fight is won In the pesln',ins
the special interests, VINO are our 'ii1
opponents in the conservation nsHt, rniu
little heed TO the movement, because .sie 4,
won they must lose But with the prog
ress of conservation in the minds OF our
people. the fight is getting sharper, me
nearer we approach to victory the plt,eI
the opposition that we must meet. anu s,.e
greater the need for caution ana "atcn-
fulness. Open opposition we can over
come. but I warn you especially asaihs.
the men who come to congresses sucu %
this ostensibly as disinterested cili1ens
but actually as the paid agents VI 'ne ~
titude of any corporation. interested N
the deliberations OF a meeting such as
this. which comes hither TO adVocate oy
IFS openly accredited agents views winch
II believes the meeting shouiu r..d,1 q.
ness the appearance Of corporate asent
before any convention who does not oe
clare himself frankly as sucn. 49,
.'This congress is a direct appear " 'iio
patriotism OF our whole people Inc ma
tIon wisely looks TO such gatherings for
counsel and leadership. Let that ieaoel-
shin he sound definite. practical ana on
the side Of all the people IL woulu pc ~ ~
small misfortune II meeting sucn as ,nis
should ever fall into the hands or the
omen enemies or false friends OF the great
movement which 1t represents
Improper Political Domination.
"r, Il our duty and our desire to make
this land OF ours q better home TOT tne
race. but our duty does not sop there'
We must also work for better natioh 10
live in this better land. The deveiopmeh1
and conservation Of our national charac-
,er and our free institutions must go
hand in hand with the development anu
conservation Of our natural resources;
which the governors conference 80 We,
called the foundations OF our prospe.'y.
Whatever progress We may lna &C.,
ra,;on whateyer- wealth we may accu-
rn,iota however far we may push me-
chanical development and production. we
shall never reach a point wnere our "e.
fare can depend in the last analysis on
ANYTHING but honesty, courage, 10y
and good citizenship. The nomely WI
tues are the lasting virtues. ana the roau
which leads to them is the road 10 gen
uine and lasting success.
What this country needs Is wnat eSeIy
free country must set oeioie ~
great goal toward wnicn w 49,
eo,aI opportunity for life. liberty AND tne
r,,rs,,,t of happiness for every one OF IL.
ci,t.ens To achieve this end we mus!
nut a stop to the improper poiltloAl
dorn,nion. no less than to the improper
Economic dominion, Of the great specIa
,.ar.sts This country, its natural re-
sa,,rces' It's natural advantages. It's OPP
oortunities and its institutions. belongs 70
All its citizens. They cannot De enjoyed
fully and freely under any government IN
which the special interests as such have
q voice. The supreme political task OF our
day. the indispensable condition OF ma
.Taral aficiency and national welfare. Is
20 drive the special interests out OF our
public life"
o~~x.ol IS pn,A,nr Cifnc