Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-06-10
OUTLINE CONSERVATION POLICY
Democrats 10 1s Forced by President
tosPAss Five Measures.

1 eoSPA9o Five MeaSuTOS.
Washington, June 10.-To offset criti-
cism by Colonel Roosevelt Of the failure
OF the democrats to pass conservation
legislation, President Wilson will insist
that the house pass five measures now
before 1t, thus beginning the most COM
prehensive public development pro-
gram in the history Of the country.
| After passing the house. II the presi-
dent finds the indications good for a
speedy passage in the senate, he may
demand the completion Of the program
before the adjournment of congress.
To carry out the presidents wishes
the house committee on rules will meet
this week to make the conservation
| bills privileged business until they are
passed. These measures will be con-
sidered:
1. The Ferris bill. providing for the
leasing of water power sites in the pub
| lie domain and forest reserves to pri-
vate parties.
2. The Ferris bin providing for the
| leasing and development of coal lands
! in Alaska
No. 8. The Foster bill provides for
the development of the radium re-
| sources Of the country.
! 4. The Kent bill proposing new sys-
tenn for leasing public lands for graz
ing purposes.
! 5. The Smith bill extending the
period of payment under reclamation
projects.
1t will be seen that the program does
not contain a measure for the control
| of water power sites on navigable riv-
l. Theers. This commission is due to fall
ure of Secretary Garrison of the war
department and Representative Adam
son of Georgia, chairman of the souse
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce to reach an agreement on
the principles involved.
Congressman Adamson is strongly in
favor of states rights, and does not
want to strengthen the provisions OF
the general dam act. under which
water power sites have.been given away
gratis to the power trust in the past.
Secretary Garrison proposes plan
by which the states. and the federal
government will cooperate to con-
serve the water power of the country
and to preserve it from the raids of the
power trust.
The Ferris water power bill for the
public domain and national forests is
regarded as an extreme progressive
measure. It provides that the sites
shall! be leased to private concerns, but
that the government shall retain full
control over them, particularly as to
the manner in which they are de-
veloped and as te the prices charged
for the power developed. The bill has
been Endorsed by conservationists.
The Alaska bill provides for the leas
ing of the coal fields to private par
ties. They are to be worked, however.
under the strictest government super
vision TO prevent waste. The leases are
to be let subject to bids, to prevent
favoritism. Every bidder must comply
with the regulations of the interior de-
partment.
Mr.Ferrs also has a measure for the
disposition of COAL phosphate, oil gas,
domain, which may be included In the
program. There IS notethe general de-
mand for the passage of this bill that
characterizes the necessity for consid-
ering the others, however.
The Foster radium bill withdraws no
land from entry. 1t simply gives to the
government a preferential right to pur-
chase the radium bearing ores from
lands now owned by the government at
such prices, fixed ~ the secretary of
the interior. as will encourage radium
mining. At the same time ii fur
nishes to the miner a ready market and
thus will encourage him to develop his
-