The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-01-29
FEDERAL. AND STATE RIGHTS
coNsERvATioNisTs LINED
Up FOR BATTLE.
BRYAN CLAssED WITH FORMER
Strength Of the Opposing Forces May
6e Revealed First In the Matter OF
the coosa River Dam In Ala
bama.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


convention OF men interested in for
estry the other day it has become
sharply apparent that q hard fight II
10 begin between the federal conserva
donists and the state right conserva
uontsts as soon as the Wilson admin
Astratton begins. The representatives
OF the federal idea are making prepa
rations to combat the representatives
OF the state rights idea and already
the representatives OF both have de-
seconded ON the capital to prepare for
the coming conflict
In these dispatches a month ago II
was said when Woodrow Wilson
takes ONCE he will find conservation
added to the tariff and the trusts to
complete trio of administration wor-
RES" 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 q GER
tain governor of a northwestern state
was mentioned to the president-elect
as a 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 a state rights con-
servationist and the federal conser-
VQftOntGtd L. IT,
bitter opponent of any federal plan
Tor saving to the people their natural
inheritance" One of the most promi-
1ent 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
a 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 a federalist
and 1t 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-
neVe 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-
At.
Protests are coming into Washing
ton daily from individuals and from |
societies ali over the United States |
against the granting of the right to a |
private Alabama corporation to build
4 water power dam on the Coosa river
n Alabama to be used, It is claimed
without proper federal regulation
The Coosa dam matter promises to
be as prominent in the conservation
1ght as was the proposed James riv.
er, Mo-. dam OF some years ago In
ne missouri matter President Roose-
'elt interviewed with a veto.
The Democratic leaders who own
as a home, it is said are in
aVor OF giving the private CORPORA
ION what 1t asks in the state. This
means that the fight of the conserva-
ionists must be directed against
oncern which has with 1t the infiu-
nee OF men high in the Democratic
artys councils, who will be chiefly
Instrumental in framing Democratic
legislation in the house of representa-
Ives. and who hold they are absolute
right in the matter in hand.
May Buy Out Express COMPANIES.
Preparations are being made by
riends of the parcel post sys-
EN- to attempt through congress
ional action to secure legislation for
De purchase Of the express companies
nd to give Uncle Sam virtual mo-
opoly Of the package carrying bust
ess. This plan has thousands of op- :
onents, and it may never come to
ne fruitton. but those opposed to ;
ne scheme may as well know definite
now that the friends OF the pro-
osaI are going to work persistently | ,
secure the end which they have /
! view. :
II is even possible that the present |
Of the postoffice de- {
artment may urge what can be call :
1 government ownership of the ex- {
ress business. The attempt which is t
De made to extend the parcel post s
1slness is only to degree party {
easure. It is possible that more I
emocrats than Republicans favor 1t, 6
1t some of the strongest advocates of i
e proposal are Republicans who on !
her matters have been called con- q
rvatives !
One wonders If the public generally d
Allies that without any additional 4
gisiation It is within the power of
1cie Sam to enlarge the parcel post s
erations to an almost unlimited ex- y
at under the authority which the n
" gives to the postmaster general i
ting with the Interstate commerce. :
mmission.
Hitchcock Has the Power. =
The law provides that If the pres =
I system does not work wen and | !,
and IL notifications or | 4