Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-03
GRADUAL Development OF
NATIONAL RESOURCES, HARDING
MESSAGE AT SPOKANE, Wash.

Spokane, Wash, July 2-(By A. P.)
Gradual development of the ma
tion's natural resources rather than
preservation of them in their original
state was advocated by President
Harding here tonight as the only
conservation policy to which America
dare commit itself.
The President, speaking on de
velopment. reclamation and water
utilization" declared against locking
up the public domain "as a treasure
house Of potential wealth" on the
ground that such action would pre-
vent 1t from being ready for use
when needed. He made 1t plain that
he stood for gradual development,
such as the use of water both for
irrigation and power and for a policy
OF reforestation that preserves the
national interest while permitting
use of the timber as NEEDED.
Mr.. Harding's address, delivered in
the Armory here, was the first he has
made en- the Pacific slope since he
became President. He expressed the
belief that I'VE may confidently look
forward to a generation in which
these young and vigorous common
wealths Of the west will boast as
great population as the entire ma
ton numbers today"
The chief executive outlined no ex-
p1icit reclamation program, but de-
clared 1--WE must look for plans that
are safe; plans so conceived that they
Nj s,n6,r1vy hvrrdar, tho Cnfflny. in
the days when he is reducing the land
to productions; plans that will be rea-
sonatly broad and that will not COM
nit the government to unwise or un-
scasonable expenditures"
Mr.. Harding's address concluded a
nine hour visit to Spokane. After the
adore SIS the presidential party left
here for Meacham, Ore, to partici-
pate in the Old Oregon Trail celebra-
ton there tomorrow.
The president spoke in part as fol-
lows:
"Traveling about this country and
somewhat also in other countries, I
have been constantly impressed that
wise development OF natural resour-
ces does not often result in their
disastrous diminution., Rather, it
seems as a rule to result in a grow
ing, an expanding, an increasing sup
ply and variety Of the very richest
upon which we make drafts.
do not fear that present develop
ment is liable to impoverish us in the
future. The contrary, according to
every historical indication. is what
will take place. You will all remem-
Der a quarter a man SO wise as
James J. Hill was warning us that
within Is years the country would
have to import wheat. Twice that
period has passed. our population has
grown enormously and yet today we
are producing a greater surplus OF
wheat than any other country in the
world. Our difficulty is not to find
wheat for ourselves but to find other
countries that will buy 1t from us.
1.-THE government Is interested to
aid your efforts from the standpoint
of adding to the national wealth, by
the transmutation of arid spaces into
fertile fields. 1t is interested also in
the protection of the national finan-
ces SO tina money advanced to pros
per this work may not be dissipated
in doubtful projects or 5eopardized
in experiments. We must look for
rlans that are safe: plans so con-
ceived that they will not unduly bur-
den the settler in the days when he
il reducing the land to production;
plans that will be reasonably broad
and that will not commit the govern