East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-01-10
Conservation of Our Resources.

the adjutant general, should be given |
careful consideration.
Conservation OF Our Resources.
1t is most vital to the future pros
perity of this state and of its people
that its natural resources be conserv-
ed 10 the fullest possible extent in or
| der that they may be utilized and de-
veloped for the benefit not only of
| this but of future generations.
Effective conservation, control or
development of the resources of Ore
gon can come only through state and
federal cooperation. The federal gov
ernment controls and regulates COM
merce wholly within their boundaries.
But the interstate commerce commits
sion and the state railroad commits
sion have worked together, harmoni-
ously and without any conflict of au-
thority, with one end alone in view
the public good.
So it must be as regards the con-
troll and distribution of the waters of
the streams. A stream, the source
I and flow of which is entirely within
the boundaries of the state, even if
c within the boundaries of a federal
Il
o the control of the state. But in the
n control of interstate streams we must
e look 10 the federal government.
a There is a demand from many quar-
ters that the federal government b'
e required to turn over to the states TO
l., their exclusive control and use all un
3 appropriated timber and minera
It lands within their boundaries. Their
g is some merit in this demand, but be
% fore pressing it the state shoul
If pause long enough to adopt some sen
i sible and effective policy as regard
the conservation and development o
ID such resources. The state has alread
l. received a grant Of rour or five mil
le lion acres of rich agricultural an
lie timber land and by mismanagemer
le and inattention has very little to sho'
le for It, The friends of the forest hav
De been for years, and are now, knock
We ing at the doors Of our legislatiy
I'd halls, begging for the adoption {
some definite policy on the part {
the state and the passage of effectiy
ly laws
H. There are those who object to an
ry and all movements which have
ed view the conservation of our resou
T. ces This comes through a misunde
r standing as to the real purposes
de the conservation movement The
I'd seem to think that conservatic
ii means the withdrawal from use TO
he ever Of all our undeveloped resource
True conservation does not mean thi
the natural resources of state are
n, be bound up by disuse or non-deve
c. opment But it does mean that th'
of are to be utilized in such mann'
Is. that there will be no waste, no extra
vn agance, and no monopoly. Conservt
er ton, as l view 1t, means the develop
TO ment and the utilization of the natu
al resources but in such manner ar
a under such regulation and safeguar
nd as will give to the people of the pre-
in ent day and to the coming generi
n tions Of the future the maximum
Is benefit and Of utility with the min
lly mum Of waste and destruction.
'ly The state which permits the gre
storehouses Of its God-given veal
to be vandalized by selfish greed
!r- indeed a very poor guardian Of Il
ne rights Of it's children-the present d
he citizens. And it Is equally true tn
ed the state which neglects through d
lal lay and inaction TO provide for speed
IN adequate and effective conservation
it's resources is an unfit and unwi
vas trustee Of the property and the pri
n8 ileges Of its citizens that are yet
ie- be born.
M do not believe that the state shou
III through legislation, deprive the pre-
all ent generation OF the blessings tn
BILE may accrue through the legitima
his use and development of the natur
resources of the state for the benei
lhe Of future generations. Nor do / b
ce. lieve that too lavish hand shou
OF now rob the future for the benefit
FOR the present.