The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-02-07
BIG FIGHT COMING
FEDERAL AND STATE RIGHTS
coNsERvATIoNIsTs LINED
UP FOR BATTLE.
BRYAN cLASSED WITH FORMER
Strength Of the Opposing Forces May
Be Revealed First In the Matter Of
the coosa River Dam In Ala
bama.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

Washington.-Since Clifford Pinchot
made his speech to the Washington |
convention Of men interested in for
estry the other day 1t has become
Sharply apparent that a hard fight is
70 begin between the federal conserva-
uonlsts and the state right conserva
uonlsts as soon as the Wilson admin
istration begins. The representatives
OF the federal idea are making prepa-
rat1ons to combat the representatives
OF the state rights idea and already
the representatives of both have de-
scended on the capital to prepare for
the coming conflict.
In these dispatches a month ago 1t
was said when Woodrow Wilson
takes office he will find conservation
added to the tariff and the trusts to
complete trio of administration wor-
ries." Mr.. Wilson is said to incline
to the state rights view of the con
servation matter, but his friends say
he does not believe in letting go of
anything over which the government
has control until it is known definite
ly that the individual state intends
to make proper use Of 1t.
The instant that the name of a GER
tain governor of northwestern state
was mentioned to the president-elect
as proper man for the position of
secretary of the interior Mr.. Wilson
paid high compliment to the general
character Of the man proposed. This
man is known as state rights con-
servationist and the federal conser-
vationists say this means that he SIS
bitter opponent of any federal plan
for saving to the people their natural
inheritance" One of the most promi-
nent conservationists in the country
said of this possible choice of the
northwesterner for the cabinet posi-
ton: His appointment would be
Ideally evil" These things show how
wide is the difference between the
leaders of the two forces.
Bryan Federalist In This.
The conservationists hope that
William Jennings Bryan will be made
member of the next cabinet. AS to
the methods of saving the country's
natural resources, Mr.. Bryan and Mr..
Wilson do not agree. In this matter
Mr.. Bryan may be called federalist
and it is the one chief matter Of gov
eminent policy in which. so far as is
known at present. his views differ
greatly from those of the incoming
president. The conservationists be-
lieve that Mr.. Bryan would use his
influence to keep the water power,
the mines and the forests out of the
hands of private corporations to be
exploited largely for their own bene-
! ft
Protests are coming into Washing
ton daily from individuals and from
societies all over the United States
against the granting of the right to a
| private Alabama corporation to build
a water power dam on the Coosa river
In Alabama to be used, it is claimed
without proper federal regulation
The Coosa dam matter promises tc
be as prominent in the conservation
fight as was the proposed James riv
er, Mo-, dam Of some years ago. Ii
the Missouri matter President Roose
velt interviewed with veto.
The Democratic leaders who owr
Alabama as home, it is said, are II
favor Of giving the private corpora
ton what 1t asks in the state. Thi;
means that the fight Of the conserva
tionists must be directed against {
concern which has with it the infiu
ance of men high in the Democrat,
party's councils, who will be chief.
instrumental in framing Democrat,
legislation in the house of representa-
tives, and who hold they are absolute
ly right in the matter in hand.
May Buy Out Express Companies.
Preparations are being made b
friends of the parcel post sys
tenn to attempt through congress
sional action to secure legislation 10
the purchase of the express companie
and to give Uncle Sam virtual me
nopoly Of the package carrying bus
ness. This plan has thousands Of or
ponents, and 1t may never come t
the fruition, but those opposed 7
the scheme may as we'll know definite
ly now that the friends of the pre-
posal are going to work PERSISTENT
to secure the end which they hav
In view.
It is even possible that the presen
administration of the postoffice d.
partment may urge what can be cal
ed government ownership Of the e.
press business. The attempt which
to be made to extend the parcel pos
business is only to a degree part
measure. II is possible that NOR
Democrats than Republicans favor !
but some of the strongest advocates {
the proposal are Republicans who o
other matters have been called col
servatives
One wonders II the public general
realizes that without any additions
: legislation 1t is within the power {
Uncle Sam to enlarge the parcel pc:
operations to an almost unlimited e.
tent under the authority which tn
law gives to the postmaster generi
acting with the interstate commerc
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