The Washington times., 1912-08-08

not by the national Government but by
forty-nine conflicting State sovereign
ties. such policy is utterly out OF
keeping with the progress of the times.
and gives our great commercial rivals
In Europe, hungry Tor international
markets, golden opportunities, of which
they are rapidly taking advantage.
Prompt Action For
Conservation Needed.
The natural resources of the nation
must be promptly developed and gener-
ously used to supply the peoples needs,
but we cannot safely allow them to be
wasted. exploited, monopolized. or con-
trolled against the general good. We
heartily favor the policy OF conserva.
tion, and we pledge our party to pro
tect the national forests without hin
dering their legitimate use for the bene-
At of al! the people. Agricultural lands
in the national forests are. ana SHOULD
Conservation will not retard legitimate
development The honest settler must
receive his patent promptly without
hindrarce. rules, or delays.
We believe that the remaining forests.
coal and oil lands. water powers. and
other natural resources still in State or
national control Except agricultural
lands) are more likely to be wisely con-
served and utilized for the general well
fare IL held in the public hands. In or
der that consumers and producers. man
ayers, and workmen, now and hereafter,
need not pay toll to private monopolies
or power and raw material. we demand
that such resources shall be retained by
the State or nation, and opened to i'm
mediate use under laws which will en-
courage development and make to the
people moderate return for benefits
conferred. In particular. we pledge our
Dartv to reulirq hIa
tion to the public for water-power
rights hereafter granted by the public.
We pledge legislation to lease the pub
lie grazing lands under equitable pro-
visions now pending. which will increase
the production OF food FOR the people
and thoroughly safeguard the rights of
the actual homemaker. Natural re-
sources whose conservation Is necessary
for the national welfare should be owned
| or controlled by the nation.
We recognize the vital Importance OF
good roads. and we pledge our party to
foster their extension in every proper
way. and we favor the early construc-
ton Of antional highways. We also
favor the extension OF the rural free de-
| livery service.
The coal and other natural resources
OF Alaska should be opened to develop
ment at once. They are owned by the
people Of the United States. and are
safe from monopoly, waste, or destruc-
tion only while SO owned We demand
away, except under the homestead law
but while held in Government owner
ship shall be opened to Use promptly
| upon liberal terms requiring immediate
| development
Thus the benefit of cheap fuel will ac-
crue to the Government of the United
/ States and to the people of Alaska and
| the Pacific coast: the settlement Of ex.
tensive agricultural lands will be hast.
| ened: the determination of the salmon
will be prevented. and the just and wise
development OF Alaskan resources will
take the place Of private extortion OF
| monopoly. We demand also that extor'
! ton or monopoly in transportation shall
be prevented by the prompt acquisition
| construction. or Improvement by the
Government of such railroads. harbor
| and other facilities for transportation as
| the welfare of the people may demand
| We promise the people Of the Terri
| tory of Alaska the same measure o,
local self-government that was given L
| other American Territories, and tina
Federal officials appointed there shall b,
| qualified by previous bona fide resi-
! dence in the Territory