Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1910-09-08
State and Fedora, Control.

lens OF our own which we must not over
look. One OF the most important con-
questions Of the moment relates
to the control OF water power monopoly
In the public interest. There Is apparent
to the judicious observer a distinct ten
dency on the part OF our opponents to
cloud the issue by raising the question OF
state as against federal Jurisdiction. We
are ready to meet that Issue II II In forced
upo us. But there Is no hope for the
plain people in such conflicts OF Jurisdic-
ton. The essential question is not one
OF hair-splitting legal technicalities. 1t IL
simply this: who can best regulate the
special interests for the public good?
Most OF the predatory corporations are
Interstate or have interstate affiliations.
Therefore they are largely out OF reach OF
effective state control, and fall OF neces-
sity within the federal Jurisdiction. One
of the prime objects Of those among them
that are grasping and greedy Is to avoid
any effective control either by state or
nation: and they advocate Mt this time
state control simply because they believe
1t to be the least effective In tho great
fight Of the people to drive the special
interests from the domination Of our gov
eminent. the nation IL stronger and Its
Jurisdiction IL more effective than that OF
any state. The most effective weapon
against these great corporations, most OF
which are financed and owned on the At
lantic coast. will he federal laws and the
federal executive. That IL why ] so
strongly oppose the demand to turn these
matters over to the states II Is funda-
mentally a demand against tho interest
OF the plain people. Of the people OF small
means, against the interest ~ our hill.
dren and our children's children; and II
~ primarily in the interest 90 the great
corporations which desire tn escape all
government control.
The Conservation Fight.
on Of the difficulties In putting into
practise the conservation Idea Is that the
field to which II applies Is constantly
growing In the public mind II has been
no slight task to bring before 100. 900 peo-
Pile a great conception Ike that or con-
servation. and convince Thorn that II IL
right. This much We have accom-
plishod. But there remains much to he
cleared up, and many Observation-Disclosures
to he removed. These MISUNDERSTANDING
are due In part at least TO direct mis-
representation by the meu to whose
interest II IL that conservation should mol
prosper. For example, "" Ind II con-
stantly said by men who should know
better that temporary wthdrnwals
such as the Withdrawals of coal LANDS
will permanently check Development. Ye'
the fact IL that these withdrawals have
no purpose except to prevent the coal
lands from passing into private owner
ship until congress can pass laws TO open
them to development under conditions
lust alike to the public and to the men
who will do the developing.
Abuses committed In the name Of n Just
cause are familiar To all OF us. Many
I'm wise things are done and many unwiss
measures are advocated In the name oi
conservation. either through Ignorance,
or bv.those whose interest lies not In pro
noting the movement, but in rethrdlng II
For example, to stop water power devei
opment by needless refusal to issue per
mits for water power or privat" irrigation
works on the public lands inevitably lead'
many men. friendly to conservation anc
believers In its general principles, TO as
sumo that It's practical application Is nee
esSarilv n check upon progress. Nothinf
could he more mistaken. The idea. widcl,
circulated ~ late. that conservation mean'
locking mp OF the natural resources Tor TN
exclusive use Of future generations. II
wholly mistaken Our purpos" IL to maxi
fun use OF these resources, but to consld
or our sons and daughters as well as our
selves: tust as n farmer uses his farm
in WAYS to preserve is future usefulness
But IN spite or these difficulties. most
Of which are doubtless inevitable In any
movement Of this Kind, conservation ha'
made marvellous progress. hay" beer
astoundcd and delighted on my return
from abroad ~ Ia" progress made while
was away. We hav" "A right to congratu
| late ourselves on this marvellous progress
hut there In no reason for believing tina
the Gpht IL won In the beginning thu
surrinl interests, who are our chief oppo
ncnts In the conservation night. paid Nttl'
heed to the movement. because they mel
Their understood II nor saw that II II woI
they must lose. But with the progress o
conservation In IN" minds OF our people
the night IN getting sharper. The nearer
we approach to victory. the bitterer thu
opposiiion that wr must meet, and thu
greater the need for caution and watch
fulncss. Open opposition we can over
come. but I warn YOU especially agains
the men who como 10 congresses such n
this. ost"nsIbly ~ dlsinterested citizens
hut actually as tie paid agents OF thu
special interests.
This congress IL n direct appeal to thu
pa,rIotism OF our whole people. Thu
nation wisely looks to such gathering
for counsel and leadership. Let tina
leadership be sound, definite. practical
and on the side ~ all the people. !
would be no small misfortune II n mcetini
such AZ this should ever fall into th'
| hands OF the open enemies or false friendi
Of the great movement which II repre-
sents.
II iq our duty and our desire to maxi
his land Of ours n better home for th'
race but our duty does not stop there
We mus, also work FOR n better nation Il
live I'm this better land, The development
and conservation 81 our national chhrac
acter and our free institutions must x
hand in hand with the development an'
conservation Of our natural resources
which the governors conference so wei
| called the foundations OF our prosperity
wbotever proyrcss we may make as