Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-14
PRESIDENT is LOYAL TO
CONSERVATION POLICY,
SAYS CHAS. Z. HILLES

ASH fght mere IN the United States.
If we succeed, not only will so. OOO. 600
be kept here in our own market, in
stead of going to Germany, but an i'm
mense saving will be effected for the
benefit of the farmer What better kind
of conservation is there than that?
Besides potash the farmer has 10
buy phosphates. President Taft has
withdrawn from entry, as I have said,
more than 100000 acres of phosphate
lands in Wyoming Idaho and Utah. AS
soon as congress can be induced to en-
act the proper legislation these lands
will be worked-not for the benefit of a
few monopolists, but under such re-
strictions as will insure competition
and a fair price ~. The farmer for this,
one Of the essential elements of plant
food
Then look at the 4,7OO,OOO acres Of
oil lands which have been withdrawn
from entry. Do you think the Stand
ard Oil trust would have been possible
had the government pursued the wise
policy Of conservation when that insti-
tuition was in its formative period: OF
course the policy was not known then,
but it is now. and It has no more val
liant champion than President Tao.
Fear Democratic Rule.
| hate to think what would hsecoms
of these valuable lands which have
been so carefully withdrawn from en-
try were there to be a Democna tic adj
ministration; but I know, and everv
man who wants to exploit these lands
for his own private gain knows, that
as long as William H Taft is In the
white house the monopolists will Rsk. no
chance
And while l am discussing theAsub-
ject Of conservation, want to point
out to you what economies have been
.. effected in the administration OF tba
general land office under President Taft
and through the agencies of Secretary
Fisher and Commissioner bennett
will not bore you with more fis7rres ,b,,t
take Just one item. A saving Of ste4
goo year in salaries alone has been
effected, and the land office,is more ef-
1ctent today than 1t ever was in its
history.
have frequently had put to me a
delicate question as to why, If Presi-
dent Taft is loyal conserva Zionist he
appointed X. A. Ballinger as secretary
or the interior President Taft an
pointed Judge BaIlinger secretary Of
the interior because he had had useful
experience as commissioner Of tho
general land office, having been an
pointed by President Roosevelt on the
recommendation of Secretary Garfield
who had known him from their collee,
| days at Williams. Garfield congratu-
lated the country upon the accession 10
public life Of man Of Judge Balm
gers preparation, probity and patriot
ism.
Why Taft Backed 5aIinser.
Certain enemies OF Judge Bauinger,
notably the head Of the forest service
attacked Judge battle-ground on the
ground that he was not progressive or
a loyal conservationist, but with the
charge that he was dishonest. Presi-
dent Taft was convinced that Mr.. Bal
linger was an absolutely honest man
and he could not then have asked for
Judge Ballinger's resignation without
seeming to confirm the charge against
his integrity, even IL persuaded that he
was not heartily in sympathy with the
presidents conservation program.
There are those who think 1t would
have been good politics for President
Taft to have demanded Judge Balm
gers resignation at once, but Mr.. Taft
is too manly and too Just man to cast
such reflection on any mans reputa-
ton without warrant
But conclusive proof of Mr.. Tafts
loyalty to the conservation policy is
afforded by his selection Of Walter L.
Fisher, former president OF the Ma
tional Conservation association, as
Judge Ballinger's successor. And, mark
you, when Secretary Fisher assumed
the office he found that not one back
ward step had been taken, not one acre
Of land had been lost, not one power
site had passed into private ownership
since Secretary Garfield had retired
from the office