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REPORT FOR NEW YORK.

BY JOHN D. MOORE,

Member State Conservation Commission.

On my arrival in Kansas City this morning a man at the hotel asked me where I came from, and I said I came from New York. And he said, "What have you fellows got in New York you want to get conserved?" And I said, "We have the greatest conservation problem in New York of all the states in the Union." In the first place, we have nine million people, over one-tenth of the population of the United States. It is one of our jobs to provide these nine million people with pure water to drink. I told him about the great reservoir on which the city of New York alone has spent upwards of two millions of dollars in order to bring into New York drinking water at the rate of five hundred millions of gallons per day. I told him furthermore that in the state of New York there were 32,000,000 acres of land, and of that more than one-third wild forest land. I told him, too, that in the public parks of New York we had a conservation problem of our own which did not begin three years ago, or five or ten years ago, but began forty years ago when Governor Seymour appointed a commission in 1872 to investigate the matter of public parks and public forests.

Since that time the state of New York has accumulated more than 1,600,000 acres of the greatest parks in this Union, and of that 1,300,000 acres are in the Adirondacks, and in these parks any citizen of New York, or any other state can come and hunt and camp as freely as he will. Furthermore, of the timber land of that park, which is of priceless value, and a value which has been protected by a constitutional amendment adopted in 1894, and not yesterday, or the day before, but sixteen or seventeen years ago. This law says that these lands shall neither be leased or sold or exchanged nor taken by any person, or by any corporation, and the timber thereon shall not be removed, or cut or destroyed. That has placed a perpetual safeguard, the like of which exists in no other state in the union. (Applause.)

In the reforestation we have six state nurseries. In these nurseries there are at the present time 15,000,000 trees. A man this morning said he did not believe it. I told him they were there and he could go and count them. (Laughter.)

Last year we sold to the railroad companies, and to the lumber companies of the state of New York approximately two million seedlings, and obtained for the state of New York something upward of ten thousand dollars. The state law says we must sell those seedlings at cost. We are able to furnish to the lumbermen and the railroad interests of New York seedling trees at the rate of less than one-half cent apiece. Furthermore, the state has reforested, as an example to her citizens, more than 6.000 acres of its own land. Those trees are there, and constitute an object lesson to every visitor to the Adirondacks. This afternoon I heard some of our friends say what their state was doing for good roads. The state of New York has expended within the last five years upwards of $100,000,000 for its state roads. (Applause) Of that we have built 10,000 miles of road-not dirt road, or earth road, but the finest kind of macadam roads, running from sixteen to twentyfour feet in width. We are gridironing New York with a system of highways the like of which is not found under the Stars and Stripes. More than that, we are not devoting our attention entirely to the development of our land locomotion. We are equally strong with water ways.

The Birch canal of the State of New York will be completed within three or four years. The state has appropriated money, sold bonds, and got the money in the treasury for $101,000,000 of Birch canal improvements in order that you Western gentlemen can bring your wheat on boats to the seaboard at the lowest possible cost of transportation. (Applause) Furthermore, we have a system of fish and game laws which is extremely rigorous and has had a marvelous tendency to improve the condition of the wild life of the state. I hold in the State of New York, ladies and gentlemen, that we must not look after only our water power and our forests; we must look after the wild things that live in the water and forestthe fish and the game. (Applause) The deer have been so thoroughly protected by our laws that they have increased so that last year in the Adirondacks there were killed 16,000 deer. Trappers tell our woodsmen today that never in the history of the Adirondacks have so many deer been seen.

This may appear to you strange. It is strange, except when we consider that in primitive times before the settlers came with firearms wolves were abundant in the Adirondacks and preyed upon the deer. Now there is not, within the confines of the State of New York, a single wolf-not one. The present legislature has passed a game law which has been in effect since the first of September, and

we take a fair view of the protection of wild life. We are not confined to the protection of game in New York State. We have extended it to every state in the Union. The game law says in effect this: That you cannot bring into the State of New York and sell in the State of New York a bird or animal which has been killed under the American flag. In other words, we have closed to the pot hunter and the market hunter, to the slaughterer of game, the richest and the most plentiful market which they have enjoyed in the past. We have turned it to good account. The law states that they may bring in from foreign countries outside of the United States the unplucked carcasses of birds and venison. Incidentally we expect to import this year 100 tons of venison, and we have already imported 200,000 birds, and upon the leg of each the state has fastened a tag, and exacted for the tag one nickel. So out of the 2,000,000 birds which the dealers tell us they will import this year the State of New York is going to exact the magnificent sum of $100,000 and maybe more. This game law should be a lesson to every state in the Union. It is not fair for a state to protect its own game and fish and let the state be a market for the game of its neighbors.

The State of New York, gentlemen, is more prolific and a more bountiful spender in water power and more bountifully supplied with this power than almost any other state of the Union. I won't dispute the figures of our friend from California who says there are 5,000,000 horsepower running loose there, but I do know that whereas his state has developed 250,000 horsepower, the State of New York, outside of the St. Lawrence river and Niagara Falls, which are really international waters, and do not come under consideration, my commission has upwards of 650,000 horsepower and we know from actual survey which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and has been in progress some eight years, that a million horsepower is still going to waste, but that million is to be harnessed and put to use, so that the State of New York can get some of the profits which have hereofore gone into private coffers.

REPORT FOR OKLAHOMA.

BY MILTON BROWN.

As yet Oklahoma is not conserved in presidents like Ohio. We have conserved a lot of fads and vagaries and isms down there, but nevertheless notwithstanding all that, Oklahoma for the past two years has got down to a practical standpoint in this matter of the conservation of our material resources and a few of the items I want to mention in my five minutes are these. First, good roads. We are now constructing a road, beginning at the north line of Oklahoma and running almost through to the south, across the whole state, to be entirely of macadam. Of course, the Automobile Association started the matter in one sense, but yet all the farmers' institutes joined in, and the two are now working together. Not only have we state aid in that matter, but we have aid in the counties. That is one item of the good roads that will make some of these older states ashamed of themselves when they come down to Oklahoma and see it. (Applause)

Another proposition is that we have gone into the development of our water supply down there for our own consumption, not only for the farmers but for the cities, and that, too, without any Federal aid. Some of the older states have been aided by donations from the Federal Government, and although millions of dollars have been taken from Oklahoma by the sales of lands to the settlers of that state, not one penny has been returned to Oklahoma in the way of any particular aid in the matter of the conservation of these resources. Yet at the last session of our legislature we appropriated $45,000 for the purpose of sinking deep wells in the extreme northwestern part of Oklahoma to get down to the underflow water, so that we can irrigate the lands out there in the extreme Northwest. They are going ahead and now have several of those wells in operation.

Another proposition is that these underground waters in the northwestern part of the state are just like the underground water in Nebraska, in Kansas and Colorado; they flow along with the country, with the fall of the country from the mountain ranges. We enacted a law at the last legislature to encourage any person, any firm, any corporation that will come in and put down wells, drains, dams or

anything of that kind, and encourage them by exempting them from taxation for a period of five years. That is having its effect already. Some parties are there now engaged in the North Canadian and in the lower Canadian making surveys and putting in plants to raise this underground water by a process of gravity underflow and bring it out on the surface to spread it over our broad acres.

Also we have a pure water supply for the city, keeping the sewage separate and apart. We have laws upon that subject and they are being enforced.

We finally had to go into the Federal Court to have one proposition settled down there, so that our swamp lands could be drained under the law passed by our state legislature. We had a state drainage law by which they undertook to drain some of the lands southeast of Guthrie and Oklahoma City. That entrenched upon the railroads, and they set up the howl that the act was unconstitutional, that we could not change the bed of the river, that we could not change the flow of the water so as to bring our ditches in and drain the swamp lands. But Judge Cotterill of the United States Court held that law constitutional, and that big drainage ditch has been constructed and the swamp lands there have been reclaimed within the last year.

You remember the Arkansas river; if you have ridden along on the Santa Fe railroad out in Kansas you have seen it at times when you could walk across it dry shod and would not get your feet wet, for the bed was as dry as a bone. And yet from Arkansas City south there is more water. Congress passed an act, and today they are working on a survey, making the preliminaries up as far as Muskogee, and they propose to go on up to Arkansas City, so as to make the bed of that river broader and run boats. They have run boats up as far as Arkansas City in times past, and they have run to Muskogee in more recent years. Now, they are going ahead on that proposition to make the Arkansas navigable as far as Arkansas City.

REPORT FOR OREGON.

BY JOSEPH N. TEAL,

Chairman Oregon State Conservation Committee.

On behalf of the Oregon State Conservation Commission and in response to your request, I herewith submit brief report of its work and activities.

The first conservation commission in Oregon was appointed by Honorable George E. Chamberlain, Governor of the state, on May 23, 1908. It was a semiofficial organization and consisted of fifteen members. All funds were secured through voluntary subscription.

As the most pressing subject demanding legislation then was the use and conservation of water resources, a water code was prepared and submitted to the legislature for its consideration and action. The bill was adopted substantially as prepared. The act is elastic and practicable. It provides: (1) A simple, inexpensive method of determining and fixing rights initiated under earlier statutes; (2) a precise and definite procedure for initiating and perfecting new rights, beneficial use always being the basis thereof; (3) an elastic administrative board, to insure the enforcement of water right decrees and its own decisions.

The cost of administration is borne by those benefited. Water power franchises are limited to forty years with a preference right of renewal.

While it was not expected the fees provided for would produce excess revenue, the operation of the law has been very satisfactory and more than self-sustaining under the intelligent and careful administration of the State Engineer, John H.Lewis. The beneficial results following its enactment are conceded and are set forth in the official reports of the State Engineer. Since its enactment some minor changes have been made respecting practice and proceedure, but none as to principle.

We are now engaged in a careful study of its workings in order to recommend such further changes as experience may show wise or necessary. That changes will be necessary is not to be doubted, but I feel I am safe in saying we have the foundation and framework of a water code based on right principles.

The legislature of 1909 also passed an act creating a state conservation commission of seven members, to be appointed by the Governor, carrying an appropria

tion of $1.000. Upon the enactment of this measure the original commission discontinued its work and Hon. F. W. Benson, then Governor, appointed another commission, the membership of which was selected from the original commission.

During the year 1909 the commission offered money prizes to students in the various educational institutions of the state covering the following topics: The Forests in Oregon; Irrigation Institutions in Oregon; Soils; Dry Land Farming in Oregon; Roads in Oregon; Fish in Oregon.

The prizes were awarded and paid according to announcement. The money for this purpose, as well as for other uses by the commission, was secured through voluntary contributions, no public money being used for this purpose.

In 1909 Mr. C. B. Watson, one of the members of the commission, called the attention of the commission to the beauty and grandeur of the Josephine County caves and asked that steps be taken to preserve and keep them in their original beauty as a national monument. The commission took up the matter with Mr. Gifford Pinchot, then Forester of the United States, and on July 12, 1909, the caves were, by proclamation of President Taft, duly set apart as a national monument by an act approved June 8, 1906, under the name "Oregon Caves." These caves are under the immediate care of the Forest Service, being in a national forest. They are of great beauty and will be preserved as a public monument forever.

During the year 1910 the work of educating the public to the necessity of action in the protection of our forests from fire and other destructive agencies was carried on. In cooperation with other organizations a law was framed to submit to the legislature for action. The legislature of 1911 adopted this measure, and it was passed with but few amendments, and in connection with the bill an appropriation of $60,000 was made.

We submitted to the same legislature a bill for coöperation between the state and federal agencies engaged in gathering physical data of the state's resources and in disseminating the information so gathered. This bill carried with it an appropriation of $20,000 in addition to the $5,000 provided by the Act of 1905, conditioned upon the Federal Government appropriating an equal amount. The legislature passed this measure with substantial unanimity.

The commission has prepared and circulated annual reports for the years 1908, 1909 and 1910; also a special report during the years 1908 and 1910 on the rivers and harbors in Oregon, setting forth their needs and requirements for improvement and justification therefor. In conjunction with the Forest Service and other associations, the commission also aided in the preparation of a pamphlet for general distribution on the use of Oregon woods.

The only appropriation the commission has received from the state was the one made in 1909 of $1,000.

To insure prosperity to the agriculturist, the tiller of the soil, the producer, should be our constant aim. His well-being is the measure of the well-being of the country. The commission has therefore undertaken to aid and further better agricultural methods throughout the farming sections of the state, particularly in the semi-arid regions of eastern Oregon. It is its desire to encourage improved methods, wise selection of products, diversity of crops and increased animal productions. It is operating in close and sympathetic affiliation with the State Agricultural College, the railroads and others taking an active interest in this work. It is proposed to offer prizes, employ an expert farmer to live in the particular section in question during the coming harvest year, to encourage the holding of district fairs, and in every way possible awaken an active interest in better farming methods. It seems to us that a more fruitful field for the principles of conservation cannot be found. It is practical and shows that conservation is a real vital force with a definite object and aim.

It is hoped something can be accomplished toward encouraging the development of this industry in the state. One of the members of the commission is especially qualified for this task, and he has it in hand.

While Oregon is a great agricultural state, it also has large mineral resources. The state, however, has not given the encouragement to this industry that it deserves.

The laws for the protection of game birds and other fowl and food fish are constantly being improved. A very excellent game commission has been appointed with a game warden of national reputation who has the keenest sympathy with animal and bird life, who does not believe in extermination, and who will, we believe, enforce the law.

It has been suggested that the national resources in the various states, and heretofore undisposed of, be turned over to the respective states by the National Government. Personally, I do not think this would be the wise course to pursue. Those of us-and there are many-who were born and raised in the West understand how little regard has been paid in the past to the public interest in the dis

position of public resources by both state and Nation. We know that it is not necessary for the rapid development of the West that every valuable right and resource now belonging to the public should irrevocably pass from the public to be monopolized by the few. It is my conviction that in every state on the Pacific Coast the great mass of the people is in favor of the conservation of the public resources in the interest of the people as a whole. I do not believe the methods of the past appeal to them. Their face is toward the rising sun. The conservation in which they believe is that which secures the greatest, widest and wisest use. They believe in equal opportunities now, and, what is of more importance, opportunity for their children hereafter. They are not alarmed at national conservation where necessary or proper. They realize that many of the public resources are the property of the Nation and not that of the state. That there must be a wise and sympathetic coordination of purpose and effort. The Nation has its duties and functions; the state has its duties and functions; and the individual has his. They must all unite in a common cause, under a common banner, for the common good. No matter by what name conservation may be called, conservation has come to stay. No more will the great resources of this country, either public or private, be treated or allowed to be treated as they have been in the past. An enlightened public opinion and a growing one will in itself prevent it. A much higher standard in viewing this matter now prevails than formerly. Moner and material prosperity are not everything. Patriotism and good citizenship are much more important. We look at things now from a different point of view than we did formerly. Those who are primarily responsible for this great movement builded more wisely than they knew and their work will endure forever. No one need feel in the least discouraged the old ways are gone forever. All that is needed from now on is a wise, prudent, conservative policy, meeting the problems as they arise and allowing for the greatest possible use, without unnecessary waste, of every resource. The principles are understood. It is in their wise application that wholesome results will be secured.

REPORT FOR PENNSYLVANIA AND PHILADELPHIA.
BY EMIL GUNTHER.

As a concrete example of what conservation has done, I desire to cite the County of Lancaster, which, according to its area, occupies the distinction of being the leading county in agricultural wealth in this country. I am also informed that the children in the public schools are taught the importance of each planting at least two trees each year.

The campaigns inaugurated throughout the states for the conservation of the national resources of our country have secured the attention of the whole Nation. To some it may seem that the East has looked supinely upon the movement which has received the most practical endorsement of the western half of our continent. The City of Philadelphia, however, which I have the honor to represent, may justly claim to have been a pioneer in questions of conservation, nor is there any state more alive to the importance of this matter than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia's place in the history of this movement may not be known to all, but it is interesting to note that as early as 1868 there was organized in our city a national board of trade largely under the initiative of our local board of trade of the Executive Council, of which I have the honor to be a member. That this board has taken an early interest in such matters permit me to quote from an address lately delivered by Mr. George H. Maxwell at the annual meeting of the National Board of Trade.

"I should like to say for Philadelphia that its local board of trade was among the first to recognize by official utterance its deep interest in the question of national irrigation. It expressed in its petitions and memorials the view that the national control of this important subject was of the deepest interest to the whole Nation, independent of locality. It has likewise strongly urged upon the National Government the improvement of all navigable rivers and harbors, believing that such improvements must inure greatly to the prosperity of our whole country and to place our manufacturers and producers in a position successfully to compete with foreign trade."

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