Omaha daily bee., 1910-09-07


resources. but II is not less responsible for
equally gigantic scale,
The method Of reckless and uncontrolled
private use and waste has done for us all
the good IL ever can,tand1t is time to put
an end to it before u does all the evil 1t
easily may. We have passed the time when
needless waste and aestr9ction and AFRO
giant monopoly are any longer permissible
Henceforth we. must seek national eff
cheney by new and a better way, by the
way Of the orderly development and use,
coupled with the preservation of our ma
tional resources by making the most OF
what we have for the benefit OF all OF us.
instead Of leaving the sources of material
prosperity open to indiscrimnate exploita-
ton. These are some Of the reasons why
It Is wise that we should abandon the old
point OF view, and why Conservation has
become a patriotic duty.
waterways.
'One Of the greatest OF our conservation
problems is the wise development and use
OF the waterways of this nation, The Twin
Cities lying, as they do. at the headwaters
OF the Mississippi are not upon the direct
line OF the proposed Lakes to the Gulf
Deep waterway. Yet they are deeply in
terested in its prompt completion as well
as In the deepening and regulation of the
Mississippi to the mouth of the Missouri
and to the Gulf The project for a great
trunk waterway. an arm to the sea, ex-
tending from the Gulf of Mexico to the
Great Lakes, should not be abandoned.
The Lakes to the Gulf Deep Waterway,
and the devslopment of the rivers which
flow into IL, should be pushed TO completion
vigorously ana without delay. But we must
recognize at the outset that there are GER
tain conditions without which the people
cannot hope to derive from it the benefits
they have right to expect
In nearly every city from ST. Paul to the
Gulf the water from. IS controlled by the
railways. Neatly every artIficial waterway
in the United States either directly or in
directly is under tire same control 1t goes
without saying that unless the people pre-
vent 1t in advance, the Railways will at
tempt to take control of our waterways as
fast as they are, improved and completed
nor would blame them IL we, the people
are supine in! the matter We must see
to 1t that adequate terminals are provided
IN every city and. town on every improved
waterway, terminals open under reasonable
conditions to the use of every citizen, and
rightly protected against monopoly; and
we must compel the railways to co-operat,
with the waterways continually. effectively
and under reasonable conditions. Unles,
We do 60 the railway lines Will refuse t
deliver freight to the boat tines either
openly or by imposing prohibitory condi
lions. and the waterways, once improved
will do comparatively little for the hcnefi
of the people who pay the bill
Adequate terminals properly controlled
and open through Zines by rail and boat art
:wo absolutely essential conditions to the
usefulness Of inland waterway development
believe furthermore that the railway,
should be prohibited from owning, con
rolling. OF carrying any interest in tn,
boat lines on Dur, rivers. unless under tn,
urictest regulation and control of IN,
inter state Commerce Commission, so tina
he shippers Interests may be fully pro
:ected. t.'E
The National Forests,
1.-THE people of the United States BELIEVE
in the completS .ahd rounded development
Of inland waterways for all the usefu
purposes they car be made to serve, They
believe also IN forest protection and fores
extension. The fight for our natlopal for
ssts in the west has been won. After
campaign in which the women of Minnesota
ala work which should. secure to them tn
perpetual gratitude Of their state, Min
nesota won its national forest, and viii
keep IL: but the fight to create the south
ern Appalachian and White mountain for
ests I'M the east is not yet over. The bill
has passed the house, ana will come be
fore the senate FOR a vote next February
The people OF the United States, Tegardles
OF party or section. should stand solidl
behind 1t, and see that their representative
do likewise.
III any proof were needed that forest pro
lection is a national duty, the recent de
struction of forests in the west by fir
would supply IL, Even with the aid OF tn
army added to~that of the forest servic
the loss has been severe. Without eithe
It would have been vastly greater;
But the forest service does more tina
protect the national forests against fire. l
makes them practically and increasingl
useful as well. During the last year 70
which have the figures, the national for
ests were used By 22O0O cattlemen, wit
their herds; 900 sheepmep. with thei
flocks 5000 tiraberrnen. with their crews
and 1900 miners, More than 5000 person
used them for other special industries
Nearly $1,000 settlers had the free use q
wood, The total resident population Of tn
national forests Is about a quarter of
million, which is larger than the popula
ton OF certain states. More than 1000,
acres OF agricultural land have been pat
ented or listed for patent within the fol
ssts and the reports of the forest officer
show that more than 100000 people yea
use the forests for recreation, campinI
hunting fishingSapd similar purposes.
this IL done. of course, without injury I
The timber, which has a value of at leas
thousand million dollars
Moreover the national forests proteC
he water supply OF thousand cities an
towns about 500 irrigation projects an
more than 800 power projects. not eountin
he use Of water for these and other pul
poses by individual settlers. l think ths
hereafter we may safely disregard an
statements that Tths national forests al
withdrawn from settlement and 0se.
A Country LITe Institute,
THE Investigations OF the country III
commission have led the farmers OF IN
country 10 realize that they have not bee
getting their fair share OF progress al
all that II brings, Some OF our farmlr
communities In the Mississippi valley al
IN the middle west have made marvelo,
progress. yet even the best OF them. IN
communities OF every other kind, are n
N@yond Improvement while much needs