Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-08
SURVEY STATE
TO SAFEGUARD
IT'S RESOURCES
Conservation Department Pre-.
pares Report for Next
Assembly.

Second Indiana General Assembly, which
meets in January, and the public, what
the Hoosier State possesses in the way
Of native wealth; how much of il is uti-
Iixed, and to submit recommendations
for further judicious utilization Of State
resources.
The survey, which is being prepared
under the supervision of Richard Lieber,
director of the department Of conserva
ton, was ordered by a joint resolution
Of the last special session of the Seventy
First Assembly.
AS q result of this survey, the subject
matter OF which is from time TO time be-
ing assembled by the division heads OF
the department, 1t is hoped that con
ktructiye legislation viii be enacted that
viii, IN a measure, prompt the work OF
restoring as nearly as possible the
states once magnificent hardwood for
ests, provide for a topographic survey,
reduce wastes attendant to the mining
of Goals, prevent land erosion and in
crease soil fertility, stop unwise drainage
projects that tend to lower lake levels,
prohibit stream pollution, prove the wis
dom of establishing reservoirs for con-
serving water and guaranteeing water
power for future industrial development,
and to prevent damage from devastating
floods and the like.
One cardinal feature Of the survey will
show the desirability of the extension
Sof State parks and State forests as a
means of promoting public health and
also for handsome remuneration
Indiana, with a population Of nearly
three million, has neglected to safeguard
its water supply and prepare for any fu-
ture augmented demand" says Mr.
Lieber
Through laxity 1t has permitted much
valuable water area TO be wasted on ac-
count of unwise drainage projects Lake
levels have been lowered, lakes drained
and streams polluted by reason of com
mercial invasion and from being used as
sewers and repositories of industrial
AID municipal wastes
This unwise procedure can be abol-
isned through the creation of the office
Of state engineer, whose duty would be
70 safeguard water levels, prevent CON
tamination OF bodies of water and slim
ulate the use of water power to relieve
the terrific drain on such fuels as coal,
gas and oil.
Richly endowed with extensive hard
wood forests, Indiana was prodigal of
this great natural resource and today
finds itself unable to meet the demand for
better grade timber.
LAVucduH6 VI dCFtS OF NH COUNTY,,
fundamentally fit only for forest grow
ing, now are largely unremunerative.e
This land can be purchased at very
reasonable figure, and 1t is the duty of
the State to plant these rocky, denuded
and infecund wastes to forests to insure
a permanent timber supply for future
generations.
If any person ever questioned the
necessity Of State parks -recreational
renters for the masses, they should spend
a day at Turkey Run or at McCormick's
Creek Canyon and gaze upon the beauty
and grandeur Of these native shrines.
They also viii be impressed by the
eontentment which permeates the crowds
that in season fairly swarm over these
enchanted preserves
"Upauestiouably State parks and recre-
ational centers must ever play an impor-
tant rart in our economic life. for they
offer the only solution of even temporary
relief TO those living in congested indus
trial centers.'
The conservation commission is en-
deavoring to secure Clifty Falls and land
adjacent thereto near Madison fora State
park. and also is bending every effort TO
acquire several miles of Lake Michigan
shore FRONT in the dune region for a big
State park.
According TO Mr.. Liebers plans, the
State should acquire, before increasing
land values make the project prOhibitive.
at least six miles of beach front and land
back into the dunes for one or two miles.
Here" ne says, many thousands Of
our citizens who are daily wage earners
can enjoy lakeside pleasures that now are
only within the possibilities of the
Weather class.
while no one questions the fact that
Indiana will continue to progress. a
Topographic map would expedite civic
improvements along many lines and at
the same time serve to interest outside
capital toward investment In Indiana.
LESS THAN : PER CENT
OF STATE so MAPPED.
~'The needs OF q topographic survey
are so manifold that 1t is unnecessary
90 enumerate them
"suffice it to say that less than per
cent Of the state is geographically
mapped.
"Ohio is completely mapped.
''The Federal Government volunteers
70 pay half the cost OF compiling maps
and the entire cost Of map printing.
"If Indiana is to continue to make
Improbable Roadway toward the con-
seryation and perpetuation Of fits wild
game and fish life, a revision of existing
State fishing and hunting laws is alb
solutely essential
sUnder present law a warden force
three or four times the size Of the pres
emit one--twenty-fiye men-could not
abolish the fish pirate Illicit fur-taker,
dynamiter and that class which SEEM
ingiv think It is all right to take fish
and game Illegally and ont of season.
"Our game and fish laws are conflict
ing. cumbersome. antiquated and fail
miserably to provide the needed powers
to officers endeayoring to protect and
perpetuate fish and game"
Mr.. Lieber points out that adequate
laws will result in the restocking OF
streams and will permit fur hearers. game
birds, rabbits and quail to propagate.
As a result thousands Of tourist sports
men win be attracted to Indiana, he says.
Indiana is rich in coal, clays for use
in the ceramic industries, evidence Of
some important oil deposits, ct cetera,
and It behooves the State to make the
most Of its geological assets" he con-
hnued
s.One Of tfs greatest cEizss against
mankind and from which we should be
Immediately and permanently safeguard
ed is the waste attendant 10 the mining
Of coal.
.sThe waste In mining, which has
amounted to 100 to $50 per cent for an
thracite, and TO so per cent Of bituni-
nous coal Of the amount taken out, Is
due to several causes.
ssThese chiefly are caused by not rob
bfng the pillars; unclean mining In the
strip pit method; leaving coal contain
Ing partings; producing uncovered
eulm; leaving coal around horsebacks,
bells. etc, and mining lower beds before
upper ones.
y