, 1923-03-05
Intelligent Development Not
Stagnation

AGITATION, which is political and in no sense
II economical, is largely heard in other sections
of the country respecting the natural resources of
the west and their development. All the while
and through it all is the old cry of conservation"
Conservation is fine, that is intelligent conserva-
ton, not the kind that brings stagnation and pre-
vents any use whatever of the goods in natures
storehouse. And when you hear an eastern polite
ian murmur conservation" and remember that he
comes from a section that was once rich in nat
ural resources, but whose people, including him
sell, f%rittered them all away because of lack of
intelligence to administer them, you do not regard
him as competent authority to now advise others.
1t is then that the opinion is confirmed that n lot
of crime is committed in the name of conservation.
Under the present oil and mineral land leasing
bill and the federal water power act, both of which
were passed less than three years ago as construc-
tive measures in the public interest, more develop
ment has taken place in the west than would ever
have been possible under the stagnation policy, mis-
named conservation" which previously prevailed.
The best act ever drawn may need amendment and
while these acts may not be perfect it would be
folly to tamper with them in such a manner as to
cripple the progressive industrial policy they have
made possible under government cooperation and
supervision.
a program allowing development of the great
latent resources of the west does not mean a policy
that turns over to private interests, without re
%striction, the heritage of either the states in ques.
ton or the rights of future generations. A con
%structiye national policy toward these resources
does mean, however, that it is possible to draft
legislation Which will allow development so much
needed by the present generation, while at the same
time government rights are fully protected, as well
as the interests of future generations.
The east has been misled by the cry of politicians
who know little or nothing of the west, but who
think the word conservation" sounds good and
will get them votes. Why don't they tell the people
that the government owns So per cent of all the
undeveloped water power of the west? Why don't
they tell the people that no private interests can
gain title to this other than for a lease period of
so years, at the end of which time the government
may take the development over itself or extend the
lease, as it sees fit?
Why don't they tell the people that government
oil lands are so protected that leases granted re-
turn to the government millions of dollars annual
ly when oil is discovered, and when dry holes are
sunk the government stands none of the loss?
Why don't the politicians tell you that the great
est hydro-electric development in the world today
is taking place in the west, with the result that in
a few short years there is every probability that
all the transportation lines west of the Rockies
will be. operated by electricity?
Why don't the so-called "conservationists tell
the wonderful saving this will mean in railroad
equipment now tied up in coal cars; why don't they
tell you the vast quantities of coal this will save
and the labor that will thus be released for other
useful occupations? Why don't they tell you the
benefits the farmer will derive that can only come
with electrical Development? Why don't they tell
you the advantages that will come from the pro.
posed Harvesting of the Colorado river, which will
irrigate and make habitable millions of acres of
farm land that now lies waste in a half dozen
states?
Why do tho politicians tell you this is merely a
western problem? Why don't they tell you that this
is a national problem in which the east has more
at stake than the west, for the simple reason that
from the west come food and raw materials that
make possible living and employment in the east?
Why don't the politicians tell the people that the
west must be developed in order to furnish an ont.
let in the future for the overflow population of the
east@ Why don't they tell you that every second
water flows by a given point without being used,
that il wastes to the sea?
Instead of political conservation this nation
must have real conservation, which means utiliza.
tion Of our resources under legislation which per.
mits private development by American citizens on
the one hand, with proper protection Of not only
other.
Any other policy than this is one Of waste, not
conservation.