Evening star., 1937-07-31
CKES EXPECTS PARTY LINES TO REVEAL PHILOSOPHERS

stealing large sections Of the rich her
itage OF the American people"
The Secretary described how gra-
dually this wanton destruction and
insistent exploitation was checked by
what he terms "the conscience Of a
country that began to appraise through
slowly opening eyes"
In the opinion Of Mr.. Ickes. John
Quincy Adams was the only national
leader until comparatively recent
had been adopted by the Nation.
would probably have meant less flush
wealth for present easy dissipation
but more solid, enduring and in the
aggregate greater wealth for the peo-
pie as whole in the long run"
Secretary ICkes believes this policy
Of exploitation to be suicidal and de-
clares that Congress should decree
the final end to the reckless era and
Announce adherence to the policy Of
sources" AS he understands conser-
vation. he states. that means the pru-
dent use OF these resources. Also, he
believes that as an effective means of
declaring this change Of policy Con-
sreSs should enact the bill NOW pending
to change the name Of the department
TO that OF the Department of Conser-
vation.
If l were one Of those" the Secre-
tary added, interested in the con-
tlnued exploitation OF our compare
lively few remaining riches of mine
and forest and stream and public do
main. I would resist with all my might
any mandate by Congress that con-
servation should be made q principal
function of government under the
charge OF responsible cabinet officer.
l would be satisfied with the ire
sponsible policy of division and spoil
alton that has prevailed in the past
and / would want the activities re-
latlng to conservation to remain scat
tered. l would encourage the miSun-
derstandngs. the jealousieS, the over
lappings, and the wasteful expendi-
lures of public funds that have grown
up in the past and which were the
inheritance OF this administration
We conservatives are like posse
comitatus,'" observed the Secretary
with q smile, following each other
with f1tful lanterns while the thief
that We were sent out TO apprehend
slips away to safety"
IN the opinion Of Mr.. Ickes. Presi-
dent Roosevelt is the outstanding
conservationist In the country. Not
only has he believed in conservation. -
states the Secretary, he has striven
for it. He has practiced it on his
own extensive farm lands in New York
State. AS a member Of the New York
Senate he was one OF the leaders In
the fight for conservation legislation.
AS Assistant Secretary Of the Navy
he helped to protect and preserve the
naval oil reserves. He made conserva-
ton a major policy when Governor OF
New York State. He Is not q conserva-
| zionist In any narrow sense His con-
ception OF this national policy Is that
1t embraces all lands and waters min
erals, flora and fauna-in fact, al
our heritage OF natural resources"
Mr. Ickes summarized briefly
achievements along lines OF conserya-
ton that have been made during the
present administration.
Vast additions. he pointed out. have
been made to the areas Of the national
forests New reclamation districts have
been organized and additional water
provided for others already In exist
ence. Under the Taylor grazing law
and It's amendment. 1l0,l73 400 acres
Of the public domain that are useful
chiefly for grazing have been set up
into grazing districts under Federal
regulation and control. The Soil Con-
servation Service has been set up to