The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-08-19
SON to our other continental !
sources.
IsIt Good Public Policy?


sources.
Is 1t Good Public Policy?
But even if it could be shown
extraordinary horsepower could be
developed and put to profitable use,
with all the humming industry to
result, would it not be grave mat
ter of public policy whether one
man should be given such sweeping
privileges forever, without charge of
any sort and without restrctions2
Unique Public Value of Region
On the basis either of the Backus
plan as outlined or the conceivable
power, regardless of that plan, 1T
may be questioned whether the re-
suits would justify in the public IN
terest the sacrifice of even single
one of the smallest lakes on the
boundary. All these lakes are
bound together. You cannot harm
one without harming others. If you
ruin Namakan, you also ruin Kabeto-
CANA, Sand Point, Crane and Immune
cradle lesser waters, which has al
ready to a large extent been accom-
plished. Yet the destruction so far
Is insignificant considered in the
ght of the proposed plans. This
S one of the rarest regions on the
continent, if not in the world. No
where else is there to be found so
precious and picturesque combina-
zion of water, rock, and forest, all
linked together in single maze
of bewildering beauty. Here is the
asst remnant of that far-flung forest
that once embraced most of Mime
sofa and Wisconsin. Here is our
largest and most lordly game ami
NAL, the moose. Here are all the
flora, the fish, the birds, the game,
even the Indians that once made our
American forests romantic. Four
teen Indian reservations, sheltering
the most primitive native Americans
-,-o on the continent, are located
on the Canadian waters of this water
shed. A health-giving climate, pure,
clear waters, the oldest naked rocks
is the world, an cventful history
all have contributed to the charm
and national Importance of this re-
gion.
Public Nature Recognized By Es-
tablised Reserves
Largely in recognition of these
facts Ontario in 1909 established the
Quetico Park, and President Roose-
welt, an his wisdom, set aside, al
most simultaneously, the Superior
Forest-an international consumma-
ton largely due to the unrecognized
efforts of one far-seeing Canadian,
Mr.. Arthur Hawkes. of Toronto. Re-
member that this region is only a
days ride now from Chicago. No
other refuge of any comparable size
or Importance Us there anywhere in
the heart of the continent. 1t is
only century and half since we
Americans occupied a thin line of
seabord. Today we fill the confines
of the most bounteous land in the
world. If we look back only SO
years at our growth and look
ahead another so years, where shall
we find ourselves then for open
spaces to strengthen our bodies and
| expand our souls?
Public Dedication or Private
Monopoly
The policy established by Presi-
dent Roosevelt and the present
policy proposed by Mr.. Backus are
Numerically opposed. They cannot
be reconciled. Power development
is primarily, if at all, of local bene-
fit. Contact with unspoiled nature
is the need and right of every citi-
zen. Those who live on the border
do not appeal to the public for their
homes, many of which are either
| threatened or already impaired, but
for the public's own best future.
--4.ner we are to confiscate this
principality to help achieve the in
dustrial ambition of one man or we
are to keep it for the perpetual use
and enjoyment of the North Ameri-
can people.
Let US not only keep it but enrich
| it. Let us restore it to all its pri-
meval grandeur. Let us preserve
some portion of our mid-continent
wilderness to remind our children
forever of their rugged and romantic
past.