2 34 CONSERVATION 



at least share substantially in the more habitable, and life, for the average 



fruits? The revolving fund, on the citizen, better worth living, there is 



one hand, and the publicly reserved, much ground for congratulation in the 



alternate sections in the Everglades on broad character of the principles enun- 



the other, are well worthy of careful ciated by the conference which met at 



consideration. Washington on February 18-20 last. 



As has so often occurred in historical 

 crises, human rights were again as- 



The North American Conservation Conference ^ted, and were traced back to their 



source, behind governments, laws, and 



T N CONSERVATION for March ap- constitutions, to Nature itself. The 

 1 peared the report of the North commissioners declare : "We agree that 

 American Conservation Conference at these resources should be developed, 

 Washington, participated in by Canada, used, and conserved for the future, in 

 Newfoundland, Mexico, and the United the interests of mankind, whose rights 

 States. The proceedings of this, the and duties to guard and control the 

 first body of its kind in history, were natural sources of life and welfare are 

 harmonious, and marked by wonderful inherent, perpetual, and indefeasible." 

 unanimity. This fact affords added Strong ground is taken against 

 ground for faith in the encouraging monopoly. The commissioners assert : 

 declaration of Senator Smoot that the "We agree that those resources which 

 success of the conservation movement are necessaries of life should be re- 

 is now assured ; that the people who garded as public utilities ; that their 

 formerly called the leaders dreamers ownership entails specific duties to the 

 have seen a new light, and are now public, and that as far as possible ef- 

 firm believers in the absolute necessity fective measures should be adopted to 

 of saving the woods and waters. guard against monopoly." "We re- 

 True, the Congress of the United gard the monopoly of waters, and es- 

 States does not appear, as yet, to be pecially the monopoly of water-power, 

 fully in sympathy with the movement. a s peculiarly threatening. No rights to 

 This is indicated by its failure, a year the use of water-powers in streams 

 ago, to create a conservation commis- should hereafter be granted in perpe- 

 sion, by the declarations of Senator tuity," etc. "In the interest of the 

 Newlands at the recent conference that homemaker, we favor regulation of 

 the legislative branch of the Govern- grazing on public land, the disposal of 

 ment had not done so much for con- public lands to actual settlers in areas 

 servation as it should have done, and each sufficient to support a family, and 

 that there seemed to be a feeling in the subdivision of excessive holdings of 

 Congress that commissions are, in some agricultural or grazing land, thereby 

 way, trying to usurp the functions of preventing monopoly." Speaking of 

 Congress ; by the failure of Congress mineral fuels, the commissioners rec- 

 in its last session to provide funds for ommend that "Such fuels should here- 

 the National Conservation Commission, after be disposed of by lease under 

 and by its disallowance of the per- suc h restrictions or regulations as will 

 formance of such work by existing prevent waste and monopolistic or spec- 

 Government employees on Government ulative holdings, and supply the public 

 time. Nevertheless, ways will be found at reasonable prices." Of mineral fer- 

 for prosecuting the work. The Con- tilizers, they say : "Mineral fertilizers 

 gressional inhibition does not apply to should not be monopolized by private 

 the governors of the states ; and to interests, but should be so controlled by 

 these, it is understood, the commis- public authority as to prevent waste 

 sion will have to look, for the present and to promote their production in such 

 at least. quantity and at such price as to make 



For those who believe that the chief them readily available for use." 



function of government is to promote The governmental right to protect 



the public good, and make the world the public against extortionate charges 



