Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-01-20
Taft DEMANDS LAWS
To CURB LAND GRABS
Special Message on Conservation
Barely Touches BalIinger-
Pincfot Trouble.
FOR 100000 OF BONDS.
Sum Needed for rrigation-Urges
Action Without Waiting for
Probing Committee Report.

declaring Cnat portions OF the pup
lie domain worth millions of dollars
have been obtained fraudulently by
private interests, President Taft, in a
special message to Congress, asks leg
islation that will permit the national
government to conserve its vast re-
sources in lands and water power in
the sparsely settled regions of the
West and Southwest without waiting
for a report by the Congressional
committee that is probing the Balm
ger-Pinchot controversy.
The message deals with the need of
Congressional action for the conserva-
ton of the natural resources of the
nation and supports the general policy
of waterway development The only
waterway project specifically ap-
proved is that of introducing dams
in the Ohio River from Pittsburg to
Cairo to assure a nine-foot stage at all
times. Mr.. Taft fayors waterway de-
yelopment as "the best regulator Of
railroad rates that we have"
Conservation of the soil is impera-
tive if the nation would provide for
the increase in production necessary
to meet the growing consumption, he
says. I recommend" says the mes
sage, that authority be given to is
sue, not exceeding $30,00O,000 of
bonds from time to time, as the Sec
rotary of the Interior shall find it
necessary, the proceeds to be applied
to the completion of the conservation
projects already begun and their prop
er extension, and the bonds running
ten years or more, to be taken up by
the proceeds of returns to the reclama-
ton fund, which returns, as the years
go on, will increase rapidly in
amount
The slight references to the trouble
contained in the closing paragraph of
the message, is the only aIlusion to
the trouble which resulted in the dis
charge of Pinchot and brought about
an acute situation in the capital and
throughout the country.
The President reviews at some
length the history of the nations pub
lie domain and points out the defects
in laws which he says have permitted
vast waste and the holding of millions
of acres of land by fraud. On this
point the message says:
The truth is that title to millions
of acres of public lands was fraudu-
lently obtained, and that the right to
recover a large part of such lands for
the government long since ceased by
reason of statutes of limitation"
other Points in the Message.
Some of the Presidents other rec
concentrations follow:
The rapid disposition of the public
lands under the early statutes and the
lax methods of distribution prevailing,
due, I think, to the belief that these lands
should rapidly pass into private owner
ship. ave rise to the impression that the
public domain was legitimate prey for
the INSCRIPTIONS and that it was not
contrary to good morals to circumvent
the land laws.
The Investigations into violations of
the public land laws, and the prosecution
of land frauds. have been vigorously con-
been the withdrawal of coal lands for
classification and valuation, and the tenn
porary Withholding of power sites.
The present statutes, except so far as
they dispose OF the precious metals and
the purely agricultural lands, are not
adapted to carry out the modern view of
the best disposition of public lands to
private ownership, under conditions
offering, on the one hand, sufficient in
ducement TO private capital to take them
over for proper development, with re-
strictive conditions on the other which
shall secure to the public that character
of control which will prevent a monopoly
or misuse of the lands or their products.
1t seems to me that it is the duty of
Congress now, by a statute, to validate
the Withdrawals which have been made
by the Secretary of the Interior and the
President and to authorize the Secretary
of the Interior temporarily to withdraw
lands pending submission to Congress
of recommendations as to legislation to
meet conditions or emergencies as they
arise.
I 1t is incumbent upon the government
to foster by all available means the re
sources of the country that produces the
food of the people To this end the con-
servation of the soils of the country
should be cared for with all means at
the governments disposal
One of the projects which answers the
description 1 have given is that of intro
ducing dams into the Ohio River from
Pittsburg to Cairo, so as to maintain at
all seasons of the year, by slack water, a
depth of nine feet. / recommend that the
present Congress, in the river and harbor
BILL make provision for continuing con-
tracts TO complete this Improvement and
l shall recommend in the future if it be
necessary, that bonds be issued to carry
ii through.
DR.. Paul Shorey, of the University
- al