424 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



far as they are needed, but we do not for $12 a ton, coal that cost them $2 a 



beHeve in unregulated and unrestricted ton to mine and an insignificant sum to 



monopoly." That we understand to be own? That is not development of the 



the whole question in a nutshell. national property. That is swndling 



Let us look at some concrete ex- the nation out of its own. 

 amples. In the west were millions of This is a simple business question 

 acres of virgin forest, growing where, for the people of the United States, and 

 for the most part, only forests would it is the simple business aspect of some 

 grow. A few lumbermen might take of these questions that we who demand 

 these lands up and under some of the proper conservation of natural re- 

 acts which were passed to encourage sources are asking consideration for. 

 the pioneer, cut and market the timber These questions are just as important 

 as fast as practicable, accumulate to the present generation as to the 

 swollen fortunes, and leave the land next. If we entail our national prop- 

 bare and non-productive and the water erty, we are just so much the poorer, 

 courses unprotected. This would de- even if a few fortunate gentlemen are 

 prive the present generation of much a few millions richer. Profits made by 

 of its working material and it would individuals through this kind of manip- 

 entail upon those who come after us ulation are not legitimate, for they are 

 great deprivation. Millions would have unearned and are taken from the real 

 lost their share in the national birth- owners. The legitimate interest of in- 

 right that a few might secure abundant dividuals may be easily provided for 

 profits. This is what was happening without throwing away the people's 

 when we began to reserve national for- birthright for a mess of pottage, 

 est land and otherwise to safeguard our This is not socialism. It is hard- 

 western possessions. And when cer- headed, everyday business fact, and it 

 tain western statesmen wax eloquent is a part of the policy of conservation, 

 over the wrongs of the poor western The individual complaints of genuine 

 settler, it is worth inquiring whether settlers on the public land who wish to 

 there is not behind the poor western secure cultivable lands which are in- 

 settler a principal who is anything but eluded within national forest areas, are 

 poor and who is angered at seeing his no proper part of this misrepresentation 

 opportunity for looting the rich public and attack on conservation. They are 

 domain taken away. This is not theory merely incidents in the development of 

 or inference. It has been abundantly the national property, although they are 

 proved, even as to some of the "men used by the assailants of conservation 

 higher up." to make arguments in opposition to it. 



Again, the United States, not a syn- These cases, which are sometimes hard- 

 dicate of its citizens, bought Alaska, ships for deserving individuals, can be 

 taking the risk of what seemed to al- and will be adjusted in due course of 

 most every one except William H. time. It is unfortunate that the public 

 Seward a decidedly speculative invest- business cannot be transacted more 

 ment. Up there we, the people of the simply and directly and more effect- 

 United States, own vast beds of excel- ively, and that such cases cannot be 

 lent coal which we have been informed promptly and equitably disposed of ; 

 on good authority can be got out for but we have not yet succeeded in free- 

 about $2 a ton. Government vessels ing the government machinery of its 

 on the Pacific coast, within easy reach entanglement of red tape. This, how- 

 of the Alaska supply, use tens of thou- ever, is no argument against conserva- 

 sands of tons yearly, and pay a large tion, which is a vital principle of the 

 price for it. Why should we turn over nation's life. Conservation will not 

 these Alaska coal fields for a song to withhold from settlement and develop- 

 the Guggenheims or any other com- ment by genuine settlers any cultivable 

 bination in order that they may turn land. On the contrary, the develop- 

 around and sell to us, the United States, ment of the agriculture of the country 



