Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-09-08
GARFIELD FOR
CONSERVATION
Gives Two Reasons Why Gov
eminent is Interested
in Subject
NO CONFLICT BETWEEN
NATION AND THE STATES

ST. PAUL. Mimi. Sept. S-James r. |
Garfield today declared for federal |
conservation in his scheduled address |
before the national conservation con- |
gress.
There are two reasons" he said. |
why the federal government is d.
rectly and deeply concerned in the
practical questions of conservation:
! First, it is the most extensive land
holder, and second, IL has great duties
to perform I'm the interest of all the
people. The value of public domain
depends upon the character OF It's use
as well as of the resources 1t con-
tains or produces.
I'VE have been going through a pc
Rod of conflict OF jurisdiction of the
federal government and the states
during which the duties of both ma
ton and states have been neglected
and the interests of the people. as a
whole, jeopardized. The most impor-
tant duty is to provide against such
distribution as will result In giving
the big special interests monopolistic
control over the resources of timber,
water, fuel and phosphates.
Under the system of disposition Of
lands by both nation and state we
have permitted individuals and cor
porations to acquire great portions Of
our natural resources. We have given
b away special privileges OF great value
and made grants of tremendous in
dustrial power
"The constitution provides that
Congress shall have the power 10 dis
pose of and make all needed rules and
regulations respecting the territory or
other property belonging to the Uni
ted States
7 "'The executive power shall be
vested in a President of the United
States. He shall take care that the
laws shall be faithfully executed
Congress has provided for the dis
position or use of the public lands un-
der certain laws. The chief executive
= has the care Of the public domain
= One of the great objects for which
: powers granted to the nation are to be
n exercised is to promote the general
welfare.
President Taft has said Of the Phil
, ippines:
t "Tt is said that there is nothing
in the constitution of the United
States that authorizes national altru.
= ism Of that sort Well, Of course
r there is not; but there is nothing in
the constitution which forbids II. Wha
e there is in the constitution is
y breathing spirit that we are natioI
d with all the responsibilities that a ma
& ton ever had. and. therefore, when
is becomes the Christian duty of ma
l. ton TO assist another nation, the con
stitution authorizes II because II Is
Of part OF national well-being.'
RS Surely" said Garfield. I'VE ha'
I "A nrnfQrf the lntC
as ests of the people of this country
Nm these powers as We have to do q
nc great work being carried on IN I
an Philippines"
O." Garfield quoted decisions Of Oh
,~a Justice Marshall. pointing out q
-. -. air means winch are abbfoprfs
~ which are plainly adapted TO that eI
S which are not prohibited but cons
81 tent with the spirit and letter Of
TT constitution, are constitutional"
la' Marshall said Garfield. gave Il
and vigor 10 the young nation. Tho
who opposed his views were the tim
folk. who would tie the hands Of go
eminent and Who IN their zeal, wou
AT make It impossible for government o
~ icers to protect all the people again
aggression by some of the people.
no There is ample power i'm the fet
eral government TO fully protect Oh
- peoples interests and promote IN
lo general welfare IN dealing with publ
4 domain.
- THE executive is the steward o
h custodian of public property. He can
" not dispose OF any property withou
n the authority Of Congress, but II Is hi
duty 70 prevent public property fror
v being taken or used illegally Som
70 OF the greatest land frauds have bee
A. perpetrated under the guise OF techni
m cal compliance with the law. Sue
In frauds as those can only be prevente
AZ by vigorous executive officers.
20 Much has been said in recent year
about executive usurpation in admin
Y istering the land laws, but I have ye
re TO learn OF a specific case. The critic
r. Of honest, vigorous enforcement of III
he land laws objected 10 the new orde
ST Of things because It prevented thel
b. from stealing public lands.
es Exactly as the cry of executi'
n usurpation was raised. so now u
ghosts Of states rights is dragged OIL
to brighten the public. There is I
~ H.N