The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-01-12

las oeeh accomplished as regards the
preservation of the natural
OF cur country. lie led. and indeed
urine the most vital period embod-
led, the fight for the preseryation
through use of our forests. He played
one OF the leading parts in the EFFORT
70 make the National Government
the chief instrument in developing
the irrigation OF the arid West lie
was the prem leader in the great
struggle TO coordinate all our social
ana governmental forces in the effort
10 secure the adoption OF a rational
ana i~arseeing policy for securing he
conservation OF all our National re-
sources. lie was already in the Gov
eminent service as head of the For
estry Bureau when I became pr.si-
cent; he continued throughout my
term, no only as head of the Forest
service. but as the moving and di-
recung spirit in o OF the conser-
NauOn work, and as counselor and as
sistant on most of the other vork
connected with the internal affairs
OF the country.
reclamation; The Old, Narrow Views
lhe hrst work took up when /
became President was the work of re-.
cIamation. Immediately after I had
come TO Washington. after the as,sis-
slnation of President Mckinley. while
staying al the house OF my sister.
nIs OowIes. before going into the
Nnlte House. Newell and Pinchot
called upon me and laid before mo
thelr plans Tor national irrigation OF
me arid lands OF the west and for
the consolidation OF the forest work
OF the government in the bureau Of
The idea that our natural
49, eth obtained. and
tncte was a. yet no real knowledge
or lhelr extent and condition. The re
Iatlon OF the conservation Of natural
resources 10 the problems Of national
welfare and national efficiency had
not yet dawned on the public mind
ne reclamation Of arid public lands
IN the west was stu a matter for pri-
Ndte enterprise alone: and our mag
ni1cent river system. with its superb
possibilities for public usefulness. was
dealt with 10y the national govern.
meht not as "a unit. but a, q discOn-
nected series OF pOrk-barrel problems
whose only real interest was in their
enect on the reelection or defeat OF \
congressman here and thcre-a theory
which. ] regret 90 saw. stilI obtains
All the forests which belonged 10
the United States were dpld and al.
minlstered In one department. and All
me torcsters iu government employ
were Do another department Forests
"" NNM'N MINMNNNNA MuMNnLnF
70 30 with each other. The national
forests in the west then called forest
r~e-crvegl were wholly iuademafa o.
area TO meet the PURPOSES for which
tney we're created. while the need for
forest protection Boo the east had NOT
yet begun 10 enter b r public mind.
The New Ideas.
Such was the condition of tbires
when Newell and Pinchot called on
mo was a warm believer Boo reclaim.
alton and IN forestry. and. after listen.
lnf lo my Two guests. . asked them
To- prepare material uu The subject Tor
mc Goo use boo my nrst message to CON.
-rn.. OF December . 1901 Thia
message laid tno foundation for the
dnft lopWrut OF irrigation and forestry
curing Ono next seven and OuohaIf
years lf set forth fhc new attitude
toward Tho natural resource iu the
words. Tho forest and water prob.
TENS ara perhaps tho most vital in.
t'rndl problems 0i tho nifcd State.
ON The day fhH message was road.
a committee or western senator's and
couErcssWHu WAS ORGANIZED fp PIE
pare % reclamation hill in accordance
with fHt recommendation Bv far.
i.. o effective of fHr senators boz.
dfaIiiuE auI pushing the bin. which.
became known hv BITS name. was New
laNi. Tho draft ol the hIl vas wor..
cd over hr Ono auI revised In imuor
aUI particular. mr active Interior
N' was Nn. Hrf f0 prevent DO from
BEING made urworkabie Or an undue
Insii-itutn upon states Wighfs. Ir rr
D%ordanc. With tHa rTort. I'D vr Non
N'I anu other ruunr. men, who con
silently f1urht Tor local and private
ui'I..ts a. against thn Interests sf
me people nH n whole