Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-14
SPECIAL INTERESTS ARE
PlTTED AGAINST MASSES
Former Forester Issues Statement
ard Proeiaims Aloud His Stand
Against Legislation for the Few in
Speaking for the Conservation Of
the country's Natural Resources.

WASHINGTON. ID. C.. Jan. IT.
The conservation of natural re-
sources and the conservation of popu-
lar government are both at stake.
The. one needs conservation no less
than the other"
This statement epitomizes the for-
NAL announcement made public to-
night by Clifford Pinchot. who was re-
Gently removed as chief forester. The
former official declares the great
moral issue that now faces the couh-
try is not the ioss OF natural re-
sources. so much as whether special
interests or the people shall rule. The
, stat ment, in part. is as follows:
AT this time | have no comment
to make or recent events. Whether IN
or out of Office the government SER
vice. propose TO stay in the fight for
! conservation and equal opportunity.
Every movement and measure. from
whatever source that tends to ad-
vance conservation and promote gov
eminent bv men for human welfare.
| shall Try to help. Every movement
and measure, from whatever source,
/ that binders conservation and pro-
notes government by monopoly TOT
profits ! shall endeayor 10 oppose.
The supreme test OF movements and
measures is the welfare of the plain
people am as eady TO support the
/ administration when il moves toward
this paramount as | am to oppose
it when it moves away"
Regrets Leaving Service.
Mr.. Pinchot expresses his profound
regret al leaving the forest service
and paws tribute TO the faithfulness
; and high quality OF service rendered
by the men with whom he worked.
Dat of the work OF the forest SER
= vice. he proceeds. grew the conser-
walton movement.
To-day that movement expresses
one of our deepest national convic-
tions.'' he said, and the PRINCIPLES
/ for which it stands are received as
I automatic IL is Only the execution
of them which remains in doubt.
Mr.. Pinchot then traced the recon-
mendations of the conservation at the
white House in May. 1905. the sub
..equent creation of the national con-
servation commission which he says.
together with President Roosevelt s
message to congress. which set forth
a comprehensive definite scheme for
the conservation OF our natural re-
sources. which he applauded and en-
dorsed Then he proceeded:
/. Wheels cIoesed.
AT this critical period. when the
goal was in SIGHT. enemies of con-
sc. walton in congress with which 10
pursue the work. but attempted 10
forbid ito progress by the Tawney
amendment TO the last sHndry civil
bill. Thereupon the work Of the ma
tional conservation commission was
stopped.
The reconme ndations of the COM
mission still wait for action. All wise
men will agree that the situation Is
seriOrs. The Tavney amendment
! was more than a mistake-it was c
deliberate betrayal Of the future. The
dangers which confront the conserva-
ton movement; today must be net by
positive action in congress. No action
VIII be equivalent 10 had action and
will have the sane results
Unless congress acts. the water
powers will rsss into the hands Of
the special interests without charge
and without limit Of time. So viih
the phosphate deposits on public
lands. when the Withdrawals which
now protect ;hen. are removed. 50
with the enormoas valuable coal de-
posts IN Alaska. which the present
Law would sen for ten dollars per
acre.
SerioU~ Dangers
The dangeT Of bad legislation o
J no isss serious The special interests
! must no longer be allowed 20 take
what they choose OFT Of NJ Erea'
! property Of al the people. Those
who steal public lands steal homes
from mcn and wonrn who need them.
A frruffrrror % F0rtrfh rnno4