St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-07-22

Vermont water Powers.

vermont mas Deon thinking quite
seriously in the past few years of her
water power possibilities. 1t has be-
come so plain that it is now beyond
questioning that the rivers and
streams that come tumbling down
from our green slopes spell out for
rs a much brighter industrial future
than at one time we thought it
would ever be our lot to enjoy. We
have seen the start made in the
Harvesting of these water courses
and there is every reason to believe
that there will be ever increasing
activity along this line.
In this connection a recent edi-
toTial appearing in The Brooklyn
Eagle is of more than passing inter
est to Vermont The contemporary
points out that water power is de-
pendent absolutely on preserving the
forests that cover the sources of
supply" 1t points out the popular
Indifference to the science of for
estry which existed until 1t became
apparent that there we're more dol
lars to be obtained in keeping the
trees standing, thus making great
electric power enterprises possible,
and cites Vermont as an example of
a state whose eyes have become TO-
cused on the future instead of on
the immediate present. The Eagle
refers to Vermont as follows:
Vermont has not yet invited the
federal government to purchase the
tops of her Green mountains, but it
has a state forester who supplies ad
vice and trees for mountain plant
ing, and the work has been taken up
by several large manufacturing cor
porations and some towns, which
are guarding their future water sup
plies.
fThe southern end of the state is
still somewhat in the grip of some
of the big lumber companies, but
more trees are being grown in Yer
mont than ever before. if not yet
so many as are being cut down. Sci
entific forestry which supplies lum-
Der while it does not impair the
value of the forest as a sponge to
retain water supply for the valleys,
is being discussed nowadays in
quarters where the policy was de-
rided a few years ago. The tide has
turned, so that our hills are in far
less danger Of denudation like those
of western Asia and southern Europe
than they seemed to be a dozen
years ago"
1t is pleasant to listen to this out
side testimony that Vermont is on
the right track. And Vermont must
keep right ahead and not permit
herself to be switched off into any
by-path. There is water power
enough here in Vermont to keep
hundreds of thousands of persons
busy at lathe and loom. But it can
be lost by destroying our forests.
Time and industrial development
have brought a grand opportunity to
this little state. We must seize this
opportunity and make the most of
it.-St. Adams Messenger.
Thinks Husband the Man.
Secretary Wilson of the depart
ment of labor made a good selec- |
ton in the choice of Walter w. Hus-
band as one of two cOunciliators to /
settle the strike of 1900 textile |
workers in the city of Atlanta, Ga,
inasmuch as Mr.. Husband has a |
temperament just suited to that kind |
of duty and, moreover, a spirit of
fairness which will cause him to seek
the best solution for both sides con-
cerned in the controversy. When he
was a newspaper man back in Yer
mont, Mr. HUSBAND naQ a general
repute as the guardian of the dove |
of peace, or at least as the poten-
tial guardian, and we doubt not that
during his stay in Washington he
has added to those qualifications
which would accentuate that repute. |
Therefore, if Mr.. Husband fellow
counciliatOr is likewise equipped we
look for a prompt and satisfactory
settlement of the little trouble in
Barre Times.
Is Straight Republican
F. G.. Fleetwood is a straight re-
publican; he has always been such
and expects to continue under that
banner. He has, however, many
friends, in the Progressive ranks, and
even among the Democrats, who
would like to support him for Gov
ernor because the ''planks" in his
platform are just what they want
candidate to stand upon. Mr.. Fleet
wood would command support from
all parties were he nominated for
the Governorship. He would make
an ideal candidate and as Cover
nor, one whom the state would be
proud of. Fleetwood for Governor
meets with general approval.-News
and Citizen.