" The State as quasi sovereign and representative 

 of the interests of the public has a standing in court 

 to protect the atmosphere, the water, and the forests 

 within its territority .... 



This public interest is omipresent wherever there 

 is a State, and grows more pressing as population 

 grows .... 



We are of opinion, further, that the constitutional 

 power of the State to insist that its natural advan- 

 tages shall remain unimpaired bi; its citizens is not 

 dependent upon an;; nice estimate of the extent of 

 present use or speculation as to future needs. 



The legal conception of the necessary is apt to be 

 confined to somewhat rudimentarv wants, and there 

 are benefits from a great river that might escape a 

 lawyer's view. 



But the State is not required to submit even to an 

 esthetic analysis. Any analysis may be inadequate. 



It finds itself in possession of what all admit to be 

 a great public good, and what it may keep and give no 

 one a reason for its will." 



Supreme Court Opinion 

 By Mr. Justice Holmes on 6 April, 1908 



Quoted by 

 President Roosevelt, 13 May, 1908, at White House 



