622 CONSERVATION 



cently stated that this increase in valu- lands from disposal for other purposes 

 ation "can produce but one result the and the present coal-land law expresses 

 lands will be sold only as they are ac- this principle of relative worth by giv- 

 tually needed for mining purposes. This ing- gold, silver, and copper deposits 

 should reduce the danger of monopoly, priority over the coal, and the coal in 

 without promoting over-production and turn preference over agricultural values, 

 wasteful competition. In the end it These distinctions necessitate land class - 

 should give future generations cheaper ification based on adequate field ex- 

 coal. The unearned increment will go animation, and with such classification 

 in part to the Nation rather than to data at hand the principle of relative 

 individuals." If a scientific classification worth can be further developed. Wher- 

 and adequate valuation of the coal lands ever the different values conflict the 

 will accomplish all this for the people higher use should prevail. For ex- 

 of the West protection against monop- ample, the reservation or disposal of a 

 oly, over-production, and wasteful com- tract of land for a dam or reservoir site 

 petition, as well as the assurance of should have preference over its use for 

 cheaper coal to the consumer and a agriculture. On the other hand, wher- 

 larger return to the public what more ever the different values can be sep- 

 can you ask ? arated, that separation by appropriate 



The popular view in regard to the legislation is at once the easiest and 



disposition of the public lands is, in my best solution of the problem. For in- 



opinion, in a state of transition. Not stance, the surface rights may be sep- 



only is the speculator now given less arated from the right to mine unclerly- 



consideration than the entryman who ing beds of coal. The first step in this 



desires to use the land, but by reason direction was taken in March of this 



of the operation of the Reclamation Act, year in the passage of the Mondell act 



the citizens of each state are beginning for the protection of the surface rights 



to take a personal interest in the re- of entrymen, whereby the homeseeker 



ceipts of the Land Office. It is hardly may secure all of which he made entry, 



necessary in this connection to bring to all he swears he is getting, while the 



your attention the fact that the in- coal beneath his tillable land is reserved 



creased valuation of the millions of to the Nation for future disposal, 

 acres of public coal land must result The ideal land classification would be 



in increased contributions to the recla- that based on field examination, scien- 



mation fund and greater possibilities tific and detailed enough to include 



for local utilization of your agricultural every natural resource ; the ideal land 



lands through irrigation. legislation is that which fully recog- 



In conclusion., I would mention a nizes the principle of relative worth ; 



principle that is winning increased rec- and the ideal land administration is that 



ognition in land legislation namely, which will assure the reservation or the 



relative worth. The earliest land laws disposition of the people's land only for 



provided for the reservation of mineral its highest use. 



THE WOODS 



Straight as a line., in beauteous order stood 

 Of oaks unshorn a venerable wood; 

 Fresh was the grass beneath, and ev'ry tree 

 At distance planted, in a due degree, 

 Their branching arms in air, with equal space, 

 Stretch'd to their neighbors with a long embrace. 



Dryden 



