The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-03-16

exists on the one side and the tenden-
cy to despoil the public domain on the
other, we will. it is hoped. be able to
find the true policy of the govern
ment."
He expressed the opinion that IA
greater obligation rests upon the
states than upon the general govern
ment to inaugurate laws to prevent
waste in the utilization of national re.
sources" There has been a grossly
exaggerated notion among some peo-
pie. he declared, as to what the gen
eral government can do in conserving
the natural resources that lie I'm tho
deposits of minerals, and are contained
in the soils and the streams. For tn
most part, ne pointed out, they have
passed into private ownership and are
under the municipal ownership of the
states.
1T seems to me-" he continued. that
we should not try to impose the whole
burden of conservation on the general
government but leave it to the states
and to the municipalities to work out
except insofar as national interference
is necessary to protect national inter
ests: and / want to be understood a.
opposed to the theory that, because the
state has not exercised to the full Its
powers in the matter of reforms. ipso
facto the national government must
exercise them"
The national government, he said
cann,t center the state and dictate
the means or method of the develop
ment of its stream and rivers, excep
insofar as their navigation is con
cerned." Wise conservation, in his
opinion. implied "as full and free de-
yelopment of our natural resources as
is consistent with our civilization and
needs"
"But we must not forget he assert
ed that we are not through with the
policy of development, of building VI
new communities and settlements, ever
| I'm far-off Alaska. We have not reach.
ed that period where we can say the
remainder of our public lands shall be
auctioned off to the highest bidder t
| increase the revenues Of the national
| treasury. They must still be used as
inducements to increase thrifty settle
| ments and provide new homes to land
less settlers and to promote commerce
and Industrial pursuits In the mos
remote regions of the west
'What the public domain needs to
day is a speedy survey of all availabl'
areas for settlement: an adequate anc
scientific classification of the remain
der of the public lands, and such legis'
lation, as will enable a deteruinatior
of all private entries and rights In th'
interest of the bona fide claiman'
without unreasonable delay, and. above
all. protection against the monopoliza
ton or waste of our natural resources
Mr.. Balinger declared that the pres
ent laws and methods of disposal o.
deposits of coal, phosphates. oil ant
natural gas are utterly impractical
either from the standpoint of the loca'
tor or that of the government, "ant
no adequate method exists" he added
"for controlling or supervising hydro
electric power produced from power
plants installed on government watel
power sites. No man or set of men car
comply with the present law and n
nance coal mine on the public do
main on $40 acres of land except unde'
extremely favorable conditions. Th'
nbsurdlty of the law in itself invited
fraud and indirect methods Of evadini
Its provisions. u II is hoped congress
will furnish the interior departmen
with the necessary machinery to guar'
safely and properly the public Interest,"
In their ultimate disposition"