The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-08-31
HARDING FOR
RECLAMATION
IN THE WEST
Takes Decided Stand for
Development A la
Roosevelt.
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MAAt1ONs Ohtos Auk. els-Etott
federal aid In reclaiming and con
serving the nations natural re-
sources. particularly In tho west. was
advocated by Senator Harding today
In an address here 10 a group Of ro-
publican governors.
The nominee pictured the western
country as a wonderland hoicing uIH-
developed possibilities OF great value
! In the present period OF food short
age. and suggested that former scrv-
Ice men might be furnished homes
on reclaimed western lands.
Quoting Theodore Roosevelt's re-
clamation policies. Senator Harding
declared one OF the greatest tasks In
the immediate future was to take up
again the reclamation and construc-
ton work fostered By Roosevelt and
neglected since the democrats came
Into power.
Land Awaits Touch
There ls an undevelOped mountain
west awaiting the touch Of genius
and industry" said Senator Harding.
''and there are doubtless thouaands
OF service men who would be glad
to turn to this most desirable dcvei-
opm mt. very much the ukmc as the
service men did In the aftor-pcrtod
OF the civil war.
There are. OF course. differences
In condition, and the mountain lands
are not 80 ready 70 answer mans
call as were the prairies: but with
Ia helpful policy on the part OF the
government these lands can be made
available for limitless contributions
l to the sustenance OF the republic and
the compensation OF those who par
ticipate In developing them.
''1ntensive INDUSTRIAL development
and the concentration Of population
In cities cannot go on unless we have
an expansion OF the food supply upon
which they depend for suatenance.
Our vision Of the ultimate develop
| ment OF the mountain empire. reveals
"A great region. developed uniformly.
| with regard 10 all It's varieRated pof-
| sibiiitles. ! have never been able 10
1 think OF 'reeia nation an coOnOslnH
merely the construction OF bitches aud
dams and reservoirs. TO put water on
dry lands.
I'VE have come TO the time when
the problem OF our far west IL one
OF wisely directed development, rather
than OF too much conservation. or
perhaps. to put the thought more
accurately. the bringing about Of n
degree and character OF development
which will constitute the wise form
OF conservation. Conservation In ~
trueEt sense. consists In the judicious
use OF the resources which are ours.
Guard Against Monopoly
THE only problem In the conser-
walton OF waters ia TO see TO II rclig-
iously that this great Inheritance %
the people In not monOpolized for pri-
vate enrichment. in aomowhat dif-
ferent manner. She same prin ciple
Will apply to our other natural rc-
sources. Emphasis must be placed
upon their use rather than upon their
storage. only II must be n use which.
while providing for needs, must keen
an ever watchful guard uron their
preservation for the need OF genera
tions yet to come.
I'VE must make our mountain west
country OF homes for neoplc who
need homes. IL has everything that
they viii need II - not impossible
that thousands OF those who hattlrd
20 maintain American rights In the
world will be eager 10 participate la
the development OF the wonderland
we are considering today. We owe
7 to them the fullest and widest oppor-
tunities. and we owe II TO them to Elvr
OF government announcement and
aid In bringing about the development
! 80 much to be desired
I'VE have passed the stage when
there must he exceptional bidding Tor
pioneer development. II was against
4 profligacy that Roosevelt raised his
h vpice and exercised the veto power.
: He started the great reclamation
movement and IL came none too soon.
Roosevelt performed "A great service
to the nation and what he did for
| lis time we must carry forward to the
, future.
In some places private capital IN
others public funds can best do the
work that is required. have no
particular preference FOR either pro-
gram except that would like to se'
In each instance the policy that will
on the whole best serve the national
purpose. would not hesitate to en-.
/, ploy federal credit Zoe certain typcl
OF inmation work. and on the aids
. 1 would not stand IN the way of hav'
4 ing that work done by private enter
, prise, II this seemed best
, Western states. desirouB Of cooper
I alton with the federal government q
! reclamation. can cooperate In en-
actment OF uniform laws to aid n
! financing reclamation work IN con
junction with the federal plan OF i'm
pounding waters Lack OF unified 81
fort and policy has been misfortuni
In the past and the time has com'
for fixed and comprehcnsivc pro