Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-09-15
CONSERVATION POLICIES
ATTACKED

There is ndIlOAdl PAL WAeA
combines of Maine and the people are
glad that it has come under the Gov
ernrnents supervision. But had
Maine herds grazed on it. were OIL
to be discovered under its surface OF
rich veins of valuable ore and coal
been revealed between its ribs Oh
rock or had we need of its water
and, its forests there surely wouio
have been among cur citizens those
who would have urged that 1t was
not right for these promising re-
wards for enterprise to be tied up
with government red tape, managed
by bureaucrats always seeking to DO
something for future generations
without due regard for the present.
Too. there would have been interests
outside Maine, those desiring TO
share in the inviting fruits OF devei-
'opnent Of such resources. that would
be ready to aid and abet the opposl-
ton. TO government control.
while these conditions do not ex-
list here they are very noticeable In
the West, where, in the states OF
Montana, wyoming, Colorado, New
Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Cali
fornia, Idaho, Washington and Ore
gon, around half the area of those
states is controlled by Uncle Sam.
-Four hundred million acres OF public
lan6-are within this area. Local and
co-ordinating interests outside are
now making drive to loosen the
government grip and secure one for
themselves. Cattlemen declare Fed
eral control is running the stock in
dustyy. that the grazing fees are ex-
orbitant, indeed they admit they
would have no fees except to the
States wherein the lands lie. They
say enterprise never was SO restrict
ed IN the Eastern States and should
not be in-the West. They tell us
that 9o.ooo,ooo of the 135.ooo,ooo
acres Of so-called forest reserve have
no forests.
This opposition is making much
out of criticism Of the Federal man
ageaaent; it is taking part in the oil
investigation, the Teapot Dome
scandal. It is out for blood and there
is 1 possibility it will be able TO
change the Federal policies in i'm
portant respects, for it commands
wealth and political influence. 1t is
telling the people that the cost Of
living is seriously increased by this
restraint upon development.
fortunately quite few of the
100000 people of the country. who
are now theoretically joint owners Of
these public lands. are learning
something about them. A surprising
number Of these folks have flivvered
long distances to behold the beauties
Of the national parks and have told
at least as many more what they
saw. Neither are the conservation
lists asleep. The halls Of Congress
are TO resound, the political wires
are to be pulled, and the mail man
will distribute myriads of pamphlets.
1t promises to be battle royal and
there is some satisfaction in the
thought that it is hardly likely to be
won without the public generally be-
ing appraised Of the fact that some
thing is going on. This, however,
will not help much unless that pub
lie makes its interest felt. One need
not be sure that the management Of
the public lands has been perfect
that, being condition hard to find
East or West-to hesitate to turn
over conserved resources to private
exploitation. which so often is waste
full and unmindful Of other welfare
than the immediate enrichment Of
the exploiters.