The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-01-14
Natures Blessings Not to be Reserved Only
for the Unborn Generations Laws
Out Of Date==Help Asked for Reclamation

Washington. Jan. 14.-President
Taft's special conservation message
was delivered to the house by Mr.
Latta. assistant secretary to the presi-
dent soon after that body convened
today
Pension leglslation was interrupted
for the reading of the document, and
the speaker advised members to pay
close attention thereto, because no
printed copies had arrived for distri-
button among them
Practically all OF tho members pres
ent remained in their seats and fol-
lowed the reading closely and care
fully. When the reading OF the mes
sage had been concluded a roar OF ap-
pIause arose from the Republican side
Of the chamber and several Demo-
cratic members also Joined in the
demonstration of approval.
Washington, Jan. 14--President
1aft's special message on oonserya-
ton OF natural resources sent to con-
gTess today is as follows:
To the Senate and House OF Rep
rescntatives:
In my annual message ! reserved
the subject of conservation OF our
natural resources for discussion in a
special message. as follows;
In several departments thore is pro-
sented the necessity for legislation
looking TO tho further conservation
Of our natural resources aud the sub
iect is one OF such Importance as 10
require a moro detailed and extended
discussion than can be entered upon
in this communication. For this rea-
son, ! shall take an carly opportunity
u send a special message to congress-
on the subject OF tho Improvement Of
our waterways. upon tho reclamation
oud irrigation of arid, semi-arid and
swamp lands; upon the preservation
OF our forests and tho re-forestiug
of suitable areas, upon the reclasS-
'incation of tho public domain with
q view of separating from asrioul-
mral settlement, mineral. coal and
phosphate lands and sites belonging
10 tho government bordering on
streams snitable for tho utilization or
water power.
In 1860 VIC had public domain of
LOSS ,911,2sS acres. Wo have now
= 10
the mountain ranges and the arid
and semi-arld plains. We have in ad'
dition 6s,035.975 acres of land In
Alaska.
Tho public lands were, during tho
earlicst administrations. treated as d
national asset for the liquidation of
public debt and source OF reward for
our soldiers and sailors Later on
they were donated in large amounts
in aid OF the construction Of wagon
roads and railways In order 10 open
up regions In the west then almost
inaccessible.
The principal land statutes were
enacted moro than a quarter OF a
century ago. The homestead aot, tho
pre.emption and timber culture act,
the coal land and tho mining acts
were among these. The rapid dsspo-
stion of the public lands under tho
early ststutes and the lax methods
OF distribution prevailing, due, I
think. TO the bollcf that thcso lands
should rapidly pass into private own
ership. give rise TO tho impression
that the public domain was legiti-
mate prey for the unscrupulous, and
that II was not contrary to good NOR
ais 10 circuInvent land laws. This
prodigal mannor OF dispoJttiop Ie-
suited In tho passing OF largo areas OF
valuable lands and many OF our nat
ufal resources into the hands of per
sons who felt lfttlo OF no responsible
ity for promoting the national wei
fare through their development The
truth Is that title to millions OF acres
,,T nj ant IL n IL
tained, and that tho right 10 recover
largo part OF such lands for the
government long since ceased by rea-
son of limitation
There has developed In recent
years a deep concern In the public
mind despecting tho 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 now TO save. how to
utilize. how to conserve and still de-
yelop; for no sane person can con
tend that It is for the common good
that natures blessings are only for
the unborn generations.
Among the most noteworthy re-
forms initiated by my distinguished
predecessor, were the vigorous proc
ecution OF land frauds and the bring
ing to public attention OF tho neces-
sity for preserving the remaining pub
tic domain from further spoilatlon
for the maintenance and extension OF
our forest resources, and for The en-
actment OF laws amending the 90
solete statutes so es TO retain gov
ernment control over that part OF the
public domain In which there arc
valuable deposits OF coal. oil ano
phosphate. and, In addition thereto
TO preserve control, under conditions
favorable TO the public. OF lands alon2
the streams In which the fall of water
can he made TO generate power 10 of
transmitted In the form Of eIectrlciS
many miles TO the points oi It's use
known as water power sites.
Investigations iato violations OF puo
l'c land laws and prosecution OF Ian,
iTsudS have been vigorously contlnuee
under my administration, as has beer
INC withdrawal OF coal lands for class
licatlon and valuation. End the tem
porary Withholding OF power sites'
Since March 4. 1909. temporary
Withdrawals OF power sites have beer
made on lO2 streams and these VIII
nra%ais. therefore, cover 229 per cen
noro streams than were covered D.