The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-30
By JOHN II. FINNEY.

By JOHN II. FINNEY.
What effect will the removal OF clifford |
Pinohot have on the Appalachian forest
projeot?" has been asked our association,
which, being a question uppermost in |
many minds and involving a matter OF
the utmost concern to the whole South, |
makes. necessary q brief review Of GER
tain phases Of the conservation question
before the answer can be clearly stated
Girord Pinchot had been doing, as
head OF the Forest Service, the most
useful work IN America Honest earn
est. capable, and untiring, he had built up
a department the value OF which Is above |
money, the sanity Of which is beyond
question. The Forest Service viii ever
stand as q monument 20 his zeal and
foresight; its work and proved worth
wiz be continued IN the competent hands
OF the new forester just appointed. MI
Pinchot's removal must be considered a
distinct loss to the government though
the conservation movement which he
has so much at heart, is a distinct gamer
through his determination TO continue
his efforts for the moral issues in
volved IN conservation principles.
Based on Common Sense.
The underlying principles OF conser- |
walton being common sense as well as
common honesty, and as the American
people possess both, let US hastily glance
at the issues involved. -
Conservation means care and skin IN
the mining OF minerals and coal.
Il means development OF power on the
public domain under proper and wise
regulations.
It means increased soil fertility and
productiveness.
It means waterways improvement,
reclamation OF arid lands. drainage Of
swamp lands, preservation OF the forests
IN both the nations domain and in that
Of the States.
It means an honest administration Of
the public domain for the use and benefit
OF all the people.
Il means national wisdom that will
insist on a wise use Of the material
things with which the nation has been
blessed, a wisdom that will displace the
folly heretofore displayed in the national
abuse OF them.
This IS a large progranme-so large and
so sweeping, and requiring so many
changes in laws and in practices, that
until the past few months conservation
fists were classed as impractcable dream
ers and ideaIists, with unbaked plans that
were not worthy OF serious cOnsidera-
ton by practical" men and lawmakers.
Eject Appears IN Congress,
There has been a noteworthy change
IN recent months, and nowhere IS there
more striking evidence OF Il than in
Congress where, at the present time. in
spite OF certain bitter and aggressive and
loud-spoken opposition, there exists
serious. and we believe an earnest at
tempt to remedy present conditions, and
10 create a real constructive policy OF
conservation along practical lines on all
the above subjects.
The recent message OF the President
dealing with this matter IS a hopeful and
helpful sign Of the times-it is an earnest
and statesmanlike document; It recon-
mends certain definite legislation on most
Of these matters; II points out the benefits
our forestry system; 1t approves the
principle Of reforestation at the source
OF certain navigable streams, and in
dOrses the plan Of moderate expendl-
lures therefor covering a period of
years; It puts clearly up to Congress the
fact that Congressional action IS impera-
lively and urgently required 10 effectively
safeguard the national interests, and
equally clearly Il points out the State
duties in matters concerning which the
State only can effectively deal. It
clearly shows that effective action IN
wolves equally the nation, the state. and
the individual in simultaneous and CO.
ordlnated corporation.
Signs Are Hopeful.
As We see IT, the situation presents
certain hopeful signs. Conservation is a
national issUe-bigger than any man or
set Of men who support or oppose it.
We feel that the Appalachian-y-h
Mountain Forest project IS gaining
ground from two standpOints, first. that
tbs establishment Of this forest area Is
something which the nation must finally
DO as matter Of self-preservation; a
duty which # owes TO itself TO perform
land the longer deferred the more DIFF
fcult and costly; and second that this
project represents a real and tangible
beginning OF conservation policy-if
the way to Conserve" is to conserve
sOmething-here lies the real starting
point. the real foundation for consruc-
tive work at relatively small cost, to the
immense gain Of the conservation move
ment and to the permanent advantage Of
the whole nation.
II the South reflects through Southern
Congressman its real sentiment and
voices its demand for this legislation.
th~ prospects are excellent that a sub
stantial beginning can be made on this
important project al the present session.