davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
FUND PROVIDED

Congress recognized the Importance
of this method of artificial distribution
of water on the arid lands by the pass
age of the reclamation act. The pro-
ceeds of the public lands creates a fund
to build the works needed to store and
furnish necessary water, and it was
left to the secretary of the interior to
determine what projects should be Sc
lected among those suggested and to
direct the reclamation service with the
funds at hand, and through the en-
gineers in the departments employ to
construct the works.
No one can visit the far west and the
country of arid and semi-arid lands
without being convinced that this is
one of the most important methods of
conservation of our natural resources
that the government has entered upon.
1t would appear that over thirty prof.
ectS have been undertaken, and that a
few of these are likely to be unsuccess-
full because Of the lack of water or for
other reasons, but generally the work
which has been done has been done
well, and many engineering problems
have been met and solved.
One difficulty which has arisen is
that too many projects, in view of the
available funds, have been set on foot.
The funds available under the recla-
nation statutes are inadequate to COM
plete these projects within a reasonable
time. And yet the projects have been
begun, settlers have been invited to
take up and in many instances have
taken up, land within the projects, re-
lying upon their prompt completion.
The failure to complete the projects for
their benefit is, in effect, a breach Of
faith, and leaves them in a most dis
tressing condition.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
PUBLIC WORRIED

There has developed in recent years
a deep concern in the public mind re-
spectfng the preservation and proper
use of our natural resources. This
has been particularly directed toward
the conservation of resources Of the
public domain.
The problem is how to save and how
to utilize, how to conserve and still to
develop; for no sane person can con-
tend that it is for the common good
that natures blessings are only for un-
born generations.
Among the most noteworthy reforms
initiated by my distinguished predeces-
sor were the vigorous prosecution of
land frauds and the bringing to public
attention Of the necessity for preserv-
ing the remaining public domain from
further spoliation; for the maintenance
and extension of our forest resources,
and for the enactment of laws amend
ing the obsolete statutes so as to re-
tain government control over that part
OF the public domain on which there
are valuable deposits of coal OIL and
phosphate; and in addition thereto, to
preserve control, under conditions IA
yorable TO the public, Of lands along
the streams in which the fall of water
can be made to generate power to be
transmitted in the form of electricity
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
TAFT'S MESSAGE

The presidents message IS as i''-
lows: l,o,sa of repre-
sentatiyes: In my annual messasGi
,esarved the subject of the conserN i'i1.l Ndliori
- ol,r natural resources for dlscua9loiA
sn a snecial message, as follows:
IN several departments there Is Pr
sa1ted the necessity for leglslatlole =
loolyinr to the further conservation u
,,,,. natural resources, and the supJec1
is ono of such Importance as TO [equit .
:, Wore detailed and extended discus
sio,1 man can be entered upon IN TINS TINS
,,an1,n1nication. For this reason sIlal Il
+a1xe an early opportunity to seno
sneciaI message to congress on nc
ei,hiect of the improvement OF our va 5
tcryavs: upon the irrigation anu
reclamation Of aird, seml-arla anu
swamp lands; on the preservation ol
1,,r, forests and the reforesting OF sulI
ahIe areas: on the reclassiticatlon Oh
3re nublic domain with a view OF sep
arating from agricultural settlements
mineral. coal and phosphate lands anu
sites belonging to the government poI-
deriny on streams suitable LOT INC
utilization of water power.
In 1860 we had a public CONAN 80 "i
I 055. .911, ,2S6 acres. We have now fol'-
a54oS1 acres, confined largely to the
mountain ranges and the ard anu
seni-arid plains. We have IN adaltloh
36S. .O35, ,975 acres of land in Alasfa'
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
TAFT'S MESSAGE
DlSAPPOINTM
TO REPUBLICANS
ACCUSE PRESIDENT OF D0DG-
ING PROMISES
COMPROMISE REFORM URGED
BY CHEF EXECUTIVE
Insurgents Regard Stand Taken by
Nations Ruler as Half Heart
edIy Opposed to That of
Roosevelt

1snncinl tn rha IIerald.l

HT ASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. IA
W. The presidents special mes
W sage, dealing with the conser-
walton problem, which partisans and
others have been looking forward to
for so many months, because of his
admitted failure to commit himself to
any definite policy, has proved the
suhiect of much gossip in the capital
today.
Leading Democrats say the message
is a revelation. in that it demonstrates
Mr.. Taft's ability TO dodge issues IN
an unusually clever manner.
In the message today the president
has done but one thing clearly, and
that is to ''whitewash' Ballinger and
half-heartedly appeal for a conserva-
tion act which will embody the pIln-
ciples promoted by the BaIlllser IIi7
r 1erests and defeat tile reforms urged
Nv +ho deposed chief forester, Plnchot.
In fact, the president goes SO 1ar as as
20 cav he sanctions BallingerS pol!Cy
entirely. hence this is believed py ~ ~
s,,reents and others to mean LudI nc
has taken a stand against the fLlCtioI 10
-soIicv or in other words, against the
noIicv of his predecessor, as oIs1iti 3,li4
e1Iished from that of BalilngeI. Pu', ~
on the other hand, several lhsuI
have gone so far as TO polnt ou' li.r 10
Taft irts has really not committed nm nm.
self decisively, for his message de pc 10
,nits him several avenues OF a9 esoabe :
3f he should be cornered by 1rleliha 4he
Of pinchot, who may insist on tl,,oa,7 e1io
president living up to the Hep9D-l1e,11, t9 10
party's campaign promises anu
form plankS.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
FRAUDS PR0BED

Investigations into violations of pub
lie land laws and prosecution of land
frauds have been vigorously continued
under my administration, as has been
the withdrawal of coal lands for classl-
fication and valuation, and the tempo
rary withholding of power sites.
Since March 4, 1909, temporary with
drawaIs of power sites have been made
on 102 streams, and these Withdrawals
therefore cover 229 per cent more
streams than were covered by the
Withdrawals made prior to that date.
The present statutes, except so far
as they dispose of precious metals and
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
inducement to private capital to take
them over for proper development with
restrictive conditions. and on the other.
which shall secure to the public that
character of control which will pre-
vent a monopoly or misuse Of the lands
or their products
The power OF the secretary of the in
terror to withdraw from the operation
of existing statutes tracts of land, the
disposition of which under such stat
utes would be detrimental to the public
interest, is not clear or satisfactory
This power has been exercised in
the interests of the public, with the
hope that congress might affirm the
action of the executive by laws adapt
ed to the new conditions.
Unfortunately, congress has not, thus
far, fully acted on the recommenda-
tions of the executive, and the question
as to what the executive is to do is,
under the circumstances, full of diff
culties,
It seems to me that it is the duty
of congress now, by a statute, to vail
date Withdrawals which have been
made by the secretary of the interior
and 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 emer-
gencies as tLay arise.
One of the most pressing needs in
the matter of public land reform is
that lands should be classified accord
ing to their principal value or use.
This ought to be done by that depart
ment whose force is best adapted to
that work. 1t should be done by the
interior department through the geo.
logical survey. Much of the confusion,
fraud and contention which has eX-
listed in the past has arisen from the
lack of an official and determinative
classification of the public lands and
their contents.
1t is now proposed to dispose Of ag-
ricultural lands as such, and at the
same time to reserve for other dispo-
sition the treasure of coal, OIL as
phaltum, natural gas and phosphate
contained therein. This may be best
accomplished by separating the right
to mine from the title to the surface,
giving the necessary use of so much
of the latter as may be required for
the extraction Of the deposits.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
POWER THROWN IN

Opinion is held thaa the transfer of
sovereignty from federal government
to territorial governments as they be
come states included water power in
rivers except that owned by riparian
proprietors.
do not think it necessary to go
into a discussion Of this somewhat
mooted question of law.
1t seems to me sufficient to say that
the man who owns and controls the
land along the stream from which the
power is to be converted and trans
Tnitted owns land which is indispen-
sable to the conservation and use OF
that power.
cannot conceive how the power in
streams flowing through public lands
can be made available at all except by
using the land itself as the site for the
construction of the plant by which the
poWer is generated and converted and
securing a right of way thereover for
the transmission lines. Under these
conditions. If the government owns the
adjacent lands-indeed, II the govern
ment is the riparian owner-it may con-
troll the use of water power by impos-
ing proper conditions on the disposition
of land necessary in the creation and
utilization of water power.
Development in electrical appliances
for the conservation of water power
into electricity to be transmitted long
distances has progressed so far that it
is no longer problematical, but it is a
certain inference that in the future
power of water flowing in the streams
to a large extent will take the place
of q natural fuel.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
NEEDS ATTENTION

Their productive power should have
the attention of our scientists that. we
may conserve the new soils, improve
the old soils, drain wet soils, ditch
swamp soils, levee river overflow SOILS
grow trees on thin soils, pasture hill
side soils, rotate crops on all soils, dis
cover methods for cropping dry land
soils, find grasses and legum and for
all soils, feed grain and mill feeds on
the farms where they originate, that
the soils from which they come may
be enriched.
A work of the utmost importance to
inform and instruct the public on this
branch of the conservation of our re-
sources is being carried on successfully
in the department of agriculture, but
it ought not to escape public attention
that the state action in addition to the
department of agriculture (as, for in
stance, in the drainage of swamp lands)
is essential to the best treatment OF
soils in the manner above indicated.
The act by which, in semi-arid parts
of the public domain, the area of the
homestead has been enlarged from 100
acres, to 800 acres has resulted most
bene1cially in the extension of dry
farming and the demonstration which
has been made of the possibility.
through variation in the character
and mode of culture of raising substan-
tial crops without the presence of such
a supply of water as has been hereto
fore thought to be necessary for agri-
culture.
But there are millions Of acres Of
completely arid land in the public do
main which, by the establishment Of
reservoirs for the storing of water and
the irrigation of the land may be made
more fruitful and productive than the
best land in a climate where the mois-
ture comes from the clouds.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
FOREST RESERVE

The forest reserves of the United
States, some 190,000,000 acres in extent.
are under control of the department
of agriculture with authority adequate
to preserve them, and to extend their
growth so far as that may be practi-
cable. The importance of the mainte-
nance of our forests cannot be ex-
aggerated.
The possibility of scientific treat
ment of forests in order that they shall
be made to yield a large return in TIM
Der without really reducing the sup
ply has been demonstrated in other
countries, and we should work toward
the standard set by them as far as
their methods are applicable to our
conditions
Upwards of 4000O0,0oO acres of for
est land in this country are in private
ownership. but only per cent Of ii is
being treated scientifically, and with
a view to the maintenance of forests.
The part played by forests in the
equalization of the supply of water on
watersheds is a matter of discussion
and dispute, but the general benefit to
be derived by the public from the eX-
tention of forest lands on watersheds
and the promotion of the growth of
trees in places that are now denuded,
and that once had great f1ourishing
forests, goes without saying.
The control to be exercised over pri-
vate owners in their treatment of for
ests which they own is a matter for
state and not national regulation, be-
cause there is nothing in the consti-
tuition that authorizes the federal gov
ernment to exercise any control over
forests within a state, unless the for
ests are owned in a proprietary way
by the federal government.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
PRESIDENTS PLAN

The surface might be disposed of
as agricultural land under the general
agricultural statute, while the coal or
other mineral could be disposed of by
lease on royalty basis, with pro-
visions requiring u certain amount of
development each year; and in order
to prevent the use and cession Of such
lands with others of similar character
which seems to constitute a monopoly
forbidden by law, the lease should
contain suitable provision subjecting
to forfeiture the interests of persons
participating in such monopoly. Such
law should apply to Alaska as well as
to the United States.
It is exceedingly difficult to frame
statute to retain government con-
troll over d property to be developed
by private capital in such a manner
as to secure the governmental pur-
poses and at the same time not
frighten away investment of the nee
essary capital. Hence, it may be nee
essary by laws that are really only
experimental to determine from their
practical operation what is the best
method of securing the result aimed at.
The extent of the value of phos-
phate is hardly realized, and with the
need that there will be for it as the
years roll on and the necessity for
fertilizing the land shall become more
acute this will be product which will
probably attract the greed OF monop-
olists.
With respect to the public land
which lies along the streams offering
opportunity to convert water power
into transmissable electricity. another
important phase of the public ques
ton is presented. There are valuable
power sites through all public land
states.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
HELP URGED

I urge that the nation ought to afford
a means to lift them out of the very
desperate condition in which they are
now. This condition does not indicate
any excessive waste, or any corruption
on the part Of the reclamation service.
1t only indicates an overzealous desire
to extend the benefit of reclamation to
as many acres and as many states as
possible.
I recommend, therefore, that author
ity be given to issue not exceeding $780,
00O, 900 of bonds from time to time, as
the secretary of the interior shall find it
necessary, the proceeds to be applied to
the completion of projects already be-
gun, and their proper extension, and
the bonds, running ten years or more,
to be taken up by the proceeds of re-
turns from the reclamation fund, which
returns as the years go on will increase
rapidly in amount.
There is no doubt at all that if these
bonds were to be allowed to run ten
years the proceeds from public lands,
together with the rentals for water
furnished through the completed en-
terprises. would quickly create sink
ing fund large enough to retire the
bonds within the time specified.
I hope that. while the statute shall
provide that these bonds are to be paid
out of the reclamation fund, it will be
drawn in such way as to secure inter
est at the lowest rate, and that the
credit of the United States will be
pledged for their redemption.
'I urge consideration Of the recon-
mendations of the secretary of the in
terror in his annual report for amend
meuts of the reclamation act, pro-
posing other relief for settlers on these
DrOiectS.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
DOES NOT BLAME TRUSTS
FOR HIGH LIVING COST
Professor in Economics Says Constant
Increase in Supply of Gold
Reduces Purchasing Power

NEW YORK. Jan. 4.-"Government
action in regard to the rise in the
cost of living is daily becoming more
imperative" says Professor e. *. A.
Seligman of Columbia university, an
international authority on economics
and finance, in a statement made pup
lie today. =,
'"rhe situation is really so serious,
continued Professor Seligman, that
the government should awaken to 1t.
AS a partial remedy, the nation
leaders are called on to devise some
better method of mohey circulation.
The constant increase in the supply
of gold in the world is making it's pur-
chasing power less. 1t takes more
gold to buy the same commodity, ana
so everywhere prices are rising.
There are other contributory causes.
The rise in the cost of meat is,
for instance. caused by the increase
of irrigation and agricultural devel-
opment in the west. 1t has become
more profitable to raise crops than to
devote land to cattle, SO the owners
of land are giving up ranging. Natur-
ally with. the supply cut down, the
price of beef goes up.
"I do not place the cause of the IN
creased cost of living on trusts and
tariff"
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
President Tries to Bolster BalEif1ger~ Policy

maintenance of the restrictions neces-
sary to prevent monopolies and ABUSE
from absolute ownership on the other'
These recommendations are lncor-
porated in bills he has prepared, and
they are at the disposition of congress.
1 earnestly recommend that all sug-
gestions which he makes with respect
to these lands shall be embodied in
statutes and especially, that with
drawals already made shall be vail
dated so far as necessary, and the au-
thority of the secretary of the interior
to withdraw lands for the purpose of
submitting recommendations as to tu-
ture disposition of them where now
legislation is needed. shall be made
complete and unquestioned.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
TO BUILD DAMS

One project which answers the de-
scription I have given is that of in
Producing dams into the Ohio river
from Pittsburg to Cairo so to main
tain at all seasons of the year, by
slack water, a depth of nine feet. Up
ward of seven of these dams have all
ready been constructed and six are
under construction while the total re-
uuired is fifty-four. The remaining
cost is known to be $63, 100000.
1t seems to me that in the develop
ment of our inland waterways it would
be wise to begin with this particular
project and carry 1t through as rap
idly as may be. / assume from rella-
BILE information that it can be con-
structed economically in twelve years
What has been said of the Ohio river
is true in a less complete way of the
Improvement of the upper Mississippi
from St. Paul to st. Louis to con-
slant depth of feet, and of the Mis-"
souri, from Kansas City to st. Louis
to a constant depth of feet, and from
st. Louis to Cairo of a depth of
feet. These projects have been pro-
nounced practical by competent boards
of army engineers, their cost has been
estimated and there is business which
will follow the Improvement.
recommend, therefore, that the
present congress make provision in the
rivers and harbors bill for continuing
contracts to complete these improve
ments.
AS these improvements are being
made and traffic is encouraged by them
and shows itself Of sufficient impor-
tance, the improvement of the Missis-
sippi beyond Cairo down to the gulf,
which is now figuring on depth of 8
feet everywhere. may be changed to
another and greater depth if the neces-
sitv for it shall appear to arise out of
the traffic which can be delivered on
the river at Cairo.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
EUROPEAN VERDICT

am informed that the investigation
by the waterways commission in Eu-
rope shows that the existence Of wa
terway by no means assures traffic
unless there is traffic adopted to wa
ter carriage at cheap rates at one end
or the other of the non-tidal streams.
1t also appears in Europe that the
depth OF the streams is rarely more
than six feet, and never more than
ten. But it is certain that enormous
quantities of merchandise are trans
ported over rivers and canals in Ger
many and France and England, and it
is also certain that the existence of
such methods of traffic materially af-
fects the rates which railroads charge.
and it is the best regulator of those
rates that we have, not excepting gov
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15

sites, and under conditions that shall
limit the right to use to not exceeding
fifty years with proper means for de-
termining a reasonable graduated rem
tai, and with such equitable provision
for fixing terms and renewal, it would
seem entirely possible to prevent the
absorption of these most useful lands
by a power monopoly
As long as the government retains
control and can prevent their improper
union with other plants competition
must be maintained and prices kept
reasonable.
In considering the conservation of
natural resources of the country the
feature that transcends all others, in
cluding woods, waters and minerals, is
the soil. 1t is incumbent upon the gov
ernment to foster, by all available
means, the resources of the country
that produce the food of the people. To
this end the conservation of the soils
should be cared for with all means at
the governments disposal.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
THAT "SMALL" AREA

Respecting the comparatively small
timbered areas on the public domain,
not included in national forests be-
cause of their isolation or their special
value for agricultural or mineral pur-
poses, it is apparent that the evils re-
sulting by virtue of the imperfections
of existing laws for the disposition of
timber lands, that the act Of June 3,
1878, should be repealed and law
enacted for disposition of the timber, to
be subject to appropriation under the
agricultural or mineral land laws.
What l have said is really an cpl
tome of the accommodation of the
secretary of the interior in respect to
the future conservation of public do
main in his present annual report He
has given close attention to the prob
lem of disposition of these lands under
such conditions as to invite the pri-
vate capital necessary to their de-
velopment on the one hand, and the