Arizona republican., 1917-03-06

nize clearly that after all. the best asset of the west was the legitimate homesteader and small home maker. and that while the new policy proposed might be in the interests of the large i stock man. he did not believe it would 1 prove of any real benefit to the small stock man.
 He called attention to the many benefits accruing to the people of all the states from the distribution an- nually of 9 per cent of the gross revenues of the forests. their steady | Improvement through national appro- priations the large amounts now being spent on road making and the conser- vation of the water power within them for public benefit.
 In conclusion he stated that while he was well aware that the sentiment of the convention was strongly for turning over the public lands and the forests to the state. he did not feel he would be true to himself unless he voiced his protest to this attack on the general conservation movement
 President Urges Caution
 Lon Harmon in speaking of this matter yesterday said
 Tt sounds good at first but I ques- ton If it is wise policy to attempt so drastic q change"
 Dwight B. Heard yesterday. when interviewed on the subject. said:
 While this resolution is very clev- erly drawn and at first glance seems to benefit the people of this state by a liberal distribution of the proceeds of the public lands. an effort being made to purchase support from various ele- ments in the state (such as the set { ffara miners who may become disabled. friends of good roads, schools. etc., 1t is in reality an attempt to under mine the great policy of conservation of our natural resources. COnserva- ton. in my judgment, has come to stay; it is no longer q political prin- ciple but is upheld by leaders of all political parties, such as Woodrow [ Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt. W. J. Bryan. ex-Governor Hughes Hiram Johnson. Senator Owen. Senator New lands. Clifford Pinchott and many other American leaders. In their effort to slap the administration for it's recent action in raising the fees in the na- tional forests. the framers of this reso- lution seem to have overshOt the mark. In my opinion, there are sufficient men in congress interested in the gem eral welfare to prevent the passage of 1 any such measure, so that its adoption 1 at this time dwindles down to an ex- pression of irritation at the secretary ! of agriculture, who, l believe. is trying | to get at this whole matter of admin ! istration of the national forest from ! just and broadminded standpoint. | What is needed at this time Is good | judgment and some patience. and this ] attempt to discipline the forestry ser | tl.. ,.f trft,. 1fttr will not help us in any real construc- tive work.
 Were there any possibility that congress would consent to turning over l the vast public resources involved, i should still question whether making | of these public lands the football of state politics would be of any real benefit to the people of Arizona
 One of the features of the conven- tion was the very able report of Presi- dent Harmon. Mir. Harmons report was as follows:
 Presidents Address
 Friends and members of the Ari- Zona Cattle Growers association, 1 ladies and gentlemen:
 I believe this is the first time the ' Cattle Growers association has met in this city We perhaps should have come here before for this city not only represents mining. one of the three great industries of the state. but is surrounded by and is the | supply point for the most prosperous
 range country in our commonwealth.
 These two industries. livestock and Thinning are in a prosperous condition. and added to the prosperity that has
 come as well to our third industry, farming, we have, at the present time. as result of this prosperity the best
 state in the union and the most
 happy and contented people.
 So we meet here today under pleas
 ant conditions Yet the prosperity of the present should not cause us
 to become careless for the future.
 You know. when a man Is doing well
 and conditions are good 1t is the human nature for him to think that