EDITORIAL 



641 



arid lands should be reclaimed by means of 

 irrigation; that swamp and overflowed re- 

 gions should be drained; that the waters 

 should be so conserved as to promote navi- 

 gation and develop water-power in the in- 

 terests of the people; that the forests which 

 regulate our rivers, support our industries, 

 and promote the fertility of the soil, be pre- 

 served and perpetuated ; that the minerals 

 found so abundantly underneath the surface 

 should be so used as to prolong their 

 utility; that the beauty, healthfulness, and 

 habitability of our country should be pre- 

 served and increased. 



The principles further comprehend 

 the purchase or control by the Nation 

 of the necessary land within drainage 

 basins, the regulation of timber cutting, 

 and the support of practical forestry. 

 The conservation of water-powers for 

 the benefit of the people at large is ad- 

 vocated. 



Other principles, as reported in the 

 press, are : 



The retention by the Government of the 

 title of all lands still in public ownership 

 which contain phosphate rock, coal, oil, or 

 natural gas, and development of the same by 

 private enterprise under conditions which 

 will prevent extortion and waste. 



The direction of public attention to the 

 need for preserving the fertility of our soils, 

 and thus protecting the future food supply 

 of our people. 



The enactment of legislation whereby the 

 titles to the surface of public lands and to 

 the minerals below the surface shall be 

 granted separately, with every appropriate 

 facility to miners to acquire such parts of 

 the surface as may be needed in the de- 

 velopment of their claims. 



The purpose of the association, Mr. 

 Fisher says, 



will be to unite in one great national or- 

 ganization all those who desire to give their 

 personal influence and support to the move- 

 ment which, under the name of conservation, 

 has come to mean so much for the future 

 of our country. 



It is stated that headquarters for the 

 association will probably be opened in 

 New York, and that the necessary 

 funds for the prosecution of its work 

 have been subscribed. 



CONSERVATION, and the older body 

 the American Forestry Association 



which it has the honor to represent, 

 cordially welcome the National Con- 

 servation Association to the field. 

 There need be no fear of competition 

 between the two organizations. "The 

 harvest truly is plenteous and the la- 

 borers are few." While we preach, 

 teach, organize and press for legisla- 

 tion, the slaughter of our resources 

 proceeds apace. The need for organi- 

 zations to educate the public, arouse 

 sentiment and make possible such legis- 

 lation as shall conserve for their highest 

 use, for all the people, all the resources, 

 which constitute the foundations of our 

 prosperity, is imperative. Different or- 

 ganizations may supplement each 

 others' work. They may suggest to 

 each other methods hitherto unthought 

 of. By emulation they may stimulate 

 each other to higher and more effective 

 activity, and call into being still other 

 organizations, all of which combined 

 will hasten and ensure the accomplish- 

 ment of the grand end sought by all. 



CONSERVATION notes with pleasure 

 that President Taft is one of the first to 

 join the new association ; over against 

 which fact may be placed another, 

 namely, that about three years ago, 

 Hon. William Jennings Bryan joined 

 The American Forestry Association. 



Attorney Ballinger's Fee 



IN THE President's letter. Secretary 

 Ballinger is told, regarding his connec- 

 tion with the Cunningham claims : "You 

 accepted the employment ; visited Sec- 

 retary Garfield and Commissioner Den- 

 nett ; * * * to pay your traveling ex- 

 penses and for your services you re- 

 ceived $250, and no more." 



Mr. Ballinger lived in Seattle. A 

 trip to Washington, including railway 

 fare, sleeping car, meals en route, and 

 hotel in Washington would cost almost 

 the sum named. 



Query: Did Attorney Ballinger ren- 

 der legal services gratuitously? 



