318 FORESTS, RESERVOIRS, AND STREAM FLOW 
consideration—that on any other theory the measure would be un- 
constitutional? Surely he did not mean that the cause of forestry 
itself must stand or fall upon any such issue. 
Does not this situation suggest the necessity for an important 
initial step which shall sweep away these artificial barriers and let 
these great questions stand or fall on their intrinsic merit? If the 
upbuilding of new forests, if the storing of our flood waters, are 
necessary measures for the welfare of the Nation, the way should 
be cleared for their accomplishment. There may be differences of 
opinion about amending the Constitution in the interest of uniform 
divorce laws, popular election of Senators and the like, but, if we 
may judge from thé universal agreement upon the particular subjects 
here considered, every State in the Union would ratify an amendment 
giving to Congress the power to legislate for the conservation and 
development of the natural resources of the country. 
The writer should possibly state, in justice to the official body of 
engineers to which he belongs, that the arguments presented in the 
foregoing paper are his individual opinions only. He is not acquainted 
with the views of any other officer upon the subjects treated, except as 
he has seen them expressed in official reports or in the public press. 
