Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-02-26
BY ANN COTTRELL FREE
Contributing writer

BY ANN COTTRELL FREE
centributins writer
President Kennedy's message to
Congress on natural resources and
the scheduling Of q number Of
major conservation meetings here
gives new urgency to the "eall Of
the wild"
The President made 1t clear that
the cali had gone too long UNI
needed and the time has come
to re-examine the Governments
often conflicting natural resources
policies.
"If we fall" he said in Thurs
days message, ito chart q proper
course Of conservation and de-
velopment--if we fail to use these
blessings prudently-we will be in
trouble within q short time"
Efforts soon to be undertaken
at the White House level to make
some sense out Of the patchwork
and jigsaw pattern Of conserva-
ton efforts might well lead to an
administration proposal to estab-
lish a department of natural
resources.
Congressional Hearings Set
Fittingly, detailed study Of the
conservation crisis - and mans
role in causing twill be under
taken thoroughly in coming days.
Congressional hearings and ma
tional conservation meetings are
bringing naturalist and wildlife
experts by the hundreds here.
They will seek to keep our Wild
lands wild. to restore the balance
of nature, and. in effect. to keep
the bulldozer from the VOLTS door.
And above all, they will try to
preserve the best values of the old
frontier. And just as in those
days there win be unity against
common enemies - such as fire,
flood and city-slicker exploiters.
Today the enemy also includes
the polluter Of streams, indis-
criminate user Of traps. poisons
and pesticides and destroyer Of
wildlife habitat.
Unity among conServationistS
against man at his predatory
worst will be seen. for instance.
on March 9 at the Smithsonian
Institution. Six wildlife, humane
and naturalist groups have joined
with the Defenders Of Wildlife
to present the crusading Scot. DR..
Harry r. Lille. The naturalist
physicians subject: "Man-Men-
ace to the Planet"
But conservationists are begin
ming to realize that it is almost
easier to route the common enemy
than to parcel out the land among
themselves. For now, unlike from
tier days, the land shrinks with
the birth Of every baby.
Need for Zoning System
And the naturalist, hunter.
reclamationist, public power adj
herent, recreation seeker-as well
as the commercial interests-want
to be served.
Therefore, a need for a system
Of coming Is becoming acute.
This need will be illustrated,
for example, tomorrow. when men
who love the land solely for the
sake Of the land, journey once
again to Capitol Hill. They will
ask for O third time that some
of our land be left forever as
wilderness. It would remain, then,
as living museum for future
generations and always as Q
source Of spiritual renewal.
The controversial wilderness
bilI' asks only that about S per
cent Of our Federal estate-na-
tional forests, parks, wildlife
refuges-be protected from ex-
ploitation. Their administrators
would be relieved Of all pressures
to change the present character
of these areas Of thorn and rock.
velvet green and dancing stream.
The authority to change, limit or
increase would be given the Con-
gress.
The Opposition
It will be opposed again-as for
the last five years-by mining,
timber and livestock interests at
the hearing before the Senate In
terror Committee tomorrow.
Due to the administration
backing, vigorous sponsorship Of
Committee Chairman Clinton p.
Anderson of New Mexico and the
educational efforts Of the Wilder
ness Society, the bills chances
in the Senate seem good. The out
come in the House is O greater
question.
Growing interest In non-urban
coming, known as multiple use. y
win be exhibited here this week
at the three-day annual meeting
Of the National Wildlife Fedora
ton. Multiple Use" is the meet
ing's theme and also Of Nationa
Wildlife Week, March 1925.
/. Realization that many ancient
civilizations persisted because Of
poor land management contrib.
utes to this demand for NOR
equitable use Of the land. Under
y. N