New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-25

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The conservation Of natural resources
has become one of the largest issues Of our
time In the campaign of 1912 it formed one
Of the chief planks in the Democratic plat
form and was often Endorsed in MI Wilson's
speeches His inaugural address committed
him fully TO support it.
For these reasons it is important TO know
what the Wilson Administration has done
As one man deeply interested in conservation
and familiar with the record | am writing
20 lay it briefly before you.
When he took Office Mr.. Wilson ceased to
say much on conservation, preferring TO let
the members Of his Cabinet speak for him.
After his Inauguration the friends of con-
servation, regardless Of partisanship, offered
him their help in putting the conservation
policies through. The opportunity invited
action. The fight to save Alaska from the
Guggenheims had created living body Of
public opinion, which lacked only official
leadership TO save what resources still re-
NAMED in public hands. 1t seemed at first
that President Wilson would lead.
At the outset the work Of the Wilson Ad-
ninistration in conservation was good Con-
gress passed and Mr. Wilson signed the
Alaska railroad bill and the bill which as
sured government control of coal lands in
Alaska. These measures were excellent, and
President Wilson deserves praise for their
enactment So he does for his veto OF bill
to give away national forest lands.
Unfortunately, these creditable instances
form little Of the record. Politics came into
control Thus bill seeking TO turn the natu-
raj resources Of Alaska over 70 a political
commission was repeatedly recommended by
the Administration through the mouth of the
Secretary Of the Interior. II passed it would
have thrown Alaska into the hands of the
special interests and established policy
almost certain TO destroy the national con-
troll of natural resources everywhere else as
we'll This measure we were fortunately able
10 stop.
When Wilson became President the Recla-
nation Service. In it's great work of irrigat-
ing the arid lands of the West was wholly
free from politics. BY the mouth of his Sec
rotary of the Interior Wilson advocated and
later signed bill which leaves the choice Of
lands to be reclaimed to a committee of Con-
gress, and so makes politics dominate the SER
vice.
the Reclamation Service lie made and kept
il one of the most efficient bureaus under the
government The Secretary of the Interior
forced him out and replaced him by COM
mission in which politicians control.
The Newlands bill is a conservation meas
ure which proposes TO develop all the re-
sources of our inland waterways water
power, navigation, irrigation and domestic
supply-for the public benefit. Although Will
son strongly Endorsed it during his campaign,
as President he let it drop, and instead has
signed two waterway bills of the old pork
ariel" type, which are everything the New
/ lands bill is not.
Water mower il the most valuable resource
still in public hands. There is undeveloped
water power in our nayigable streams equal
TO twice the power of every kind now used in
| the United States. 1t is a huge prize. For
years the water power interests have been
fighting to seize it and the conservationists
e save il for the people.
! water power measure, the Adamson bill,
came before the House in 1914. 1t favored
monopoly and gave the special interests for
nothing the public water power on navigable
streams. Nevertheless. Wilson Endorsed it.
! On it's way through the House the bad
rarts of the Adamson bill were stricken out
and the public rights were secured. There
upon Wilson reversed his previous stand and
| Endorsed the amended bill. This good bill
then went to the Senate where it was shelved
and the indefensble Shields bill was reported
in its place. The Shields bill gives away the
public water powers forever and for nothing.
Both Roosevelt and Taft vetoed bills drawn
on the same principle. Yet by another re-
vcrsal tho Wilson Administration got behind