The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-12-24
Is Policy Hinted at by Sec
rotary of the Interior
Lane
PREDICTS PUBLIC
OWNERSHIP
Of Hydro-Electric Power
Plants-Outlines Con-
servation Plans

| Washington, ID. c., Dec. 24.-With
bold strokes Franklin X. Lane, secre-
tary Of the interior, yesterday outlined,
in his annual report to the president,
% broad policy in the conservation OF
the vast natural resources of the United
States which yet lie within the regula-
tory powers of the government and
pointed to the important results that
may be achieved through the develop
ment of these resources under proper
supervision.
Comparatively, the report is brief. 1t,
likewise, is wholly unique, in that it
contains not single recommendation.
Suggestions for action, which Secretary
Lane observes emphatically is what the
county desires and needs, are num-
erous; but he prefers to propose gen
eral policies to the making Of flat
recommendations
Two notable and interesting predic-
tions are indicated rather than made in
the report. One is that the time is not
far distant when coal OF too low q grade
ito stand storage or transportation will
be converted into electricity at the
mouth of the mines and widely dis
tributed for lighting, heat and power"
the other, that the gigantic force now
wasting itself in the rivers of the coun-
try will be so controlled by dams as 10
provide heat, light and power to the
people and that within a generation l
believe the people will be as alive to
the value OF public ownership of hydro
electric power plants as they are to-
day to municipality water
works"
In the opening lines of the report,
Secretary Lane takes mp serious
situation which obtains in great sec
ton of the country "There exists
feeling in the West" says he, chat its
affairs and needs have not been given
that consideration at the hands of the
national government which they merit.
This feeling is not confined to specu-
lators or exploiters. Ii is the sentiment
OF many who are without selfish motive
and regard the matter wholly from the
standpoint of national growth.
There is one very simple explanation
for the existence of this feeling We
have sdventured upon a new policy of
administering our affairs and have not
developed adequate machinery. We have
called halt on methods of spoilation
which existed, to the great benefit of
many, but we have failed to substitute
methods, sane, healthful, and progress
siye, by which the normal enterprise of
an ambitious people can make full use
of their own resources. We abruptly
closed opportunities to the monopolist,
but did not open them to the developer.
The land policy put into force, be
says, caused dismay and discomfort"
The Congress had been most generous
in its disposition of the public lands.
They were given to the railroads and to
the states. To classify them was too
difficult a task. "They would classify
themselves when they arrived in in
dividual ownership. And so the door
was opened for monopoly and for
fraud"
IF the government did not appreciate
the invaluable nature of its assets there
were men who did. The nation wanted
home makers, but found its lands drift
ing into the hands of corporations,
which were withdrawing them from the
market. A reaction was inevitable. III
lands were to be withdrawn from public
service, why might not the government
do the withdrawing itselff"
A new policy was evolved, the secre-
tary pointed out, that of using the land
for the purpose to which it is best fitted.
TO this policy" he says, Il believe the
ar urges return to the hazards of the
land is land polity. But it does ask
action. Already the Congress has recog-
nized the opposition of this policy, but |
it is for yourself and Congress further
to extend this thought into our legisla-
ton.