Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-06
Public Lands Plan Promotes
Vigorous Conservation Fight

Announcement that the national al
ministration is in favor Of turning over
to the Jurisdiction Of the States surface
rights to the remaining Incorporated
unreserved public lands has led to q
spirited debate In which all parts Of
the country have had q share. Various
points of view are represented. Many
recognize that the inception of the con-
servation policy was based on the power
Of the Federal Government to preserve
public rights. Differences Of opinion
have developed as to the present need
of such protection, while 1t Is contended
by some advocates Of State rights that
the public resources are needed for de-
velopment of individual States. The
extreme view presented Is that mineral
rights now held by the Federal Gov
eminent should be turned over to the
States.
As the President has suggested that
the subject be studied by commission
the Portland Oregon Journal feels that
"the result might be a new national
understanding Of Western States rights
The commission might not convince
Congress" continues that paper, "that
1t would be fair to turn back the public
lands and hold all the mineral and oil
rights, together with the national for
ests, the national parks and the mill
tary reservations, but any report would
give wide publicity to the extent OF
Federal holdings in the Western States
The figures alone would emphasize the
justice OF permitting Western develop
ment from the revenues Of public re-
sources within our borders"
while it would be a progressive step
to give the States control Of the sur
face rights to Federal lands now within
their borders" argues the Pueblo Star
Journal, "best results would be obtained
by ceding full rights to the lands, and
this Is what the States should work
capable Of administering all the lands
within their borders" The Salt Lake
Deseret News holds that, stripped OF
its mineral rights and exclusive of power
sites, forests and other reservations to
the Federal Government, the remainder
of the public domain is largely worth
less husk," but that paper feels there
is chance that q committee, once con-
vinced Of the facts, might favor a more
liberal ceding to the States Of the min
eral and forest rights with the land
grant ITSELF"
''That a storm of controversy will
arise over the subject Is already as
sured," in the opinion Of the Fort
Worth Record Telegram, which contin-
ues: 1.-THE public lands maintained and
created situations In many States very
similar to those now existing in many
counties Of Texas which are the I'M
fortunate poSsessors Of great tracts OF
school land They are not producers
Of taxable values and generally are in
the way OF progress. A COM
mission, appointed from political rec
concentrations, viii have many enjoy
use of the President in deciding ques-
ton that Thomas Jefferson never in
tended to exist When the States be-
came such, they should have been given
their lands"
"Under the bureau system, the States
are made to pay penalty for having
parts Of the public domain in Their
territories" declares the Tulsa World
with the conclusion that the new policy
promises partially to restore the old
idea Of the rights Of States.
The bureau practice tends to take elias
ITCHY and common sense away from the
people," The Chattanooga Times voices
the certainty that the proposal TO de-
centralize the problem, giving the
States concerned larger opportunity
and greater responsibility. is good demo.
cratic doctrine"
The kansas City Journal-Post COM
ments: Popular as the Presidents
suggestions win be In the States d.
rectly affected, they win be viciously
attacked by professional worriers about
the future OF the race. They are very
eager to conserve our future resources
at the expense Of the conmunitie!
whose immediate welfare depends or
what they call development. but whai
the distant critics call exploitation.