The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-07-03
President
Speaks on
II f,viQl1
Reso Us IS. .':s .','' =
q.
Harding Urges , .uual Devel-
opment of Natural Wealth
of Nation, in Speech at
Spokane.
Great Future for West


Spokane, July 2.-Gradual develop
ment of the nations natural re-
sources. 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
grounds that such action would pre-
vent II from being ready for use
when needed. lie made it 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 interests while permitting
use of the timber as needed.
Sees Bright Outlook.
Mr.. Hardings address, delivered in
The armory here. was the first he has
made on the Pacific slope since he be
came president. He expressed the be
lief that we may confidently look
forward to generation in which
these young and vigorous common
wealths OF the west will boast as
great a population as the entire ma
tion numbers today"
The chief executive outlined no
specific reclamation program but de
clared that we must look for plans
that are safe; plans so conceived that
they will not unduly burden the set
tier in the days when he is reducing
the land to production; plans that
would be reasonably broad and that
will not commit the government 10
unwise o. unreasonable expendi-
lures"
Leaves for Oregon.
Mr.. Harding's address concluded a
ninc.hour visit to Spokane. during
which he made an automobile tour
of the business district. inspected the
dam site for the proposed Columbia
basin irrigation project and was
shown series of motion pictures
Of the Columbia basin. After the ad.
dress. the presidential party left here
for Meaeham. Ore. 10 participate in
the old oregon trail celebration there
Tuesday
The president spoke in part as fol.
lows:
1T has been in my mind during
these days OF travel IN the west, TO
express on some appropriate occasion.
few views regarding those problems
which We summon to our minds IN
der the headings OF conservation.
reclamation and development. Nova
days. I think there Is disposition 10
change the order Of terms and men
ton development first. Not that we
are any less devoted to conservation;
but there is increasing realization
that in our national development we
have reached the time when wise
programs for development in all parts
OF our domain must be encouraged.
Resources Expand.
Travelling about this country. and
somewhat also In other countries,
have been constantly impressed that
wise development OF natural resources
does not often result In their disas.
trous diminution. Rather It seems as
rule TO result in growing, an ex-
pandlng. an increasing supply and
variety OF the very riches upon which
we make drafts.
II do not fear that present develop
ment IL liable to impoverish us in
the future. The precise contrary.
according TO every historical aealogy,
is what will take place. Why, you
all remember that. "a quarter century
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