New-York tribune., 1910-09-07

.x.ortivee from, the West Each tried to
n,,+ an a cheerful front but it was an
effort which was close to failure Gov
ernor Norris in particular was bitter N
his denunciation.
.sUbv." he said. we could not break into
that meeting now with a burglars jimmy
Governor Norris is q Democrat It was
he who made the lighting" speech before
the congress yesterday which really
brought out the clash with governor
Stubbs of Kansas. the presiding oncer-
Governor Hay of Washington at hrst oe-
cided 10 leave. but later changed his nina
and declared he would stay, nghuhs u 'iie
last for states rights
There is nothing I can add To What
have already said" Governor Brooks de-
cIared. II am for states rights; the con-
gress does not believe in it, but. rather,
wants federal supervisfon I have had my
saw and am going.
Governor " R Stubbs of Kansas. who
so successfully handled the conference
Yesterday afternoon. preventing any dis
cussion on the floor said he would leave
tonight also If he could get away 1t was
commonly said however. that the execu-
tive of Kansas would stay A day or 50
longer in order 10 be on the ground should
any or the Westerners stay and attempt
to start something" Mr. Stubbs was
smiling to-day and happy 'Everybody's 3
happy" he said.
Governor Blanchard of Louisiana. e1-
Governor Pardee of California and James
R Garfield delivered addresses. favorlns
national control of natural resources
Mr. Garfield was originally scheduled TO
talk tomorrow, but John P. Barrett. VINO
was chairman of the afternoon session.
called upon him to-day. Mr. Garfield said
There are two reasons why the federal
government is directly and deeply con
cerned in the practical questions OF con
Servation. First. IL is the most extensive
iandholder: and. second il has great duties
to perform in the interest OF al me people;
Under our former system OF disposition
of public lands bv both nation and state we
have permitted individuals and corporations
sources We have given away special pT1vi-
iegeS of great value and made grants OF
tremendous industrial power. The use OF
these special privileges and the exercise
of these powers have given rise to serious
political and industrial questions. which are
now parts OF the conservation problem
Mr. Garfield then briefly defined the pow
ers of Congress. the President, the Secre-
tary of the Interior. the Commissioner Of
the General Land Office, and continued:
one OF the great objects for which powers
granted to tire nation are 70 be exercised IS
to promote the general welfare. The franz
ers of the Constitution did not make the
mistake of defining the general welfare. but
left to each generation the Interpretation
of that expression, in accordance with the
spirit or genius of the age The needs Of
the people change the development OF social,
industrial and political conditions. That
which formerly provided for the public
welfare may soon become wholly made
quate.
The Supreme Court has decided that the
power to dispose absolutely of public land
gives the power to grant a lesser title, such
lea or : clear
there is ample power in the federal govern
ment TO fully protect the peoples interest
and promote the general welfare in dealing
The Executive is the custodian of public
property: He cannot dispose OF any prop
erty without authority from Congress, but
it is his duty TO prevent public property
from being taken or being used illegally.
Some of the greatest land frauds have
heen perpetrated under the guise OF techni-
cal compliance with law which in fact
did not apply 10 the character of the land
obtained or the use to which It was put
been taken under the homestead act. water
power reservoir sites taken as mineral en-
tries. Such frauds as these can only be
prevented by vigorous Executive action and
never ceasins vigilance of executive off,
GERS.
The practical need and value of vigor-
GUS executive action mas been clearly
shown in public land matters. Mere for
NAL compliance with law opens the way TO
fraud. Often the most perfect paper proof
the law, The duty of the Executive is
neglected and the rights of the public are
teopardized unless the spirit we'll as
the letter of the law is enforced
Much has been said m recent years
about Executive uSurpatiOn in administer
ing the land laws. but l have yet to learn
of a specific case The critics of honest
vigorous enforcement of the land laws and
the opponents of the measures proposed to
improve land laws are not really interest
ed in the abstract theory Of Executive
power. They objected to the new order
of things because 1t prevented them from
stealing public lands.
Exactly as the cry of Executive usurpa-
ton was raised. so now the ghost of states
rights Is dragged out to friEhten the pub
lie. There is no real conflict between ma
tion and states in dealing with the public
lands and the use of natural resources
Each Jurisdiction has great interests TO
safeguard, great duties to perform for the
common good. and wherever the iurisIic-
tions overlap neither should withdraw bur
by cooperation provide for such resIIIa-
tion as will prevent private and special in
terestS from escaping effective public res,1-
lation and supervision
For example. the proposition TO transfe-
to the several states all public lands
is absolutely wrong 1t Is not an infringe
ment of the rights OF the states for the
nation TO keep and provide for the use Of
such lands, but would be a fragrant viola
tion of duty If the nation gave away its
power to safeguard the public interests
against the aggression Of the special in
terests that are seeking TO control and
,nonopoiize the water powers OF the couu-
try.