Show f- f J IfE If f MONTANA M GOVERNOR SAYS STATES CONTROL THEIR E OWN NATURAL RESOURCES u LOUISVILLE Ky Ky- Dec 1 The I.-The The conference conference con con- ference of governors last night chose Spring Lake N. N J r for their next meetIng meetIng meeting meet meet- ing place and will gather there in the first week of September next year New nationalism in so far as it af affects affects at- at conservation of natural resources was denounced by Governor Noel of Mis Mis- Governor Norris of Montana Started the tho denunciation wh when n. n he liC said the theory of the nationalists originated in the east whose natural natura resources had I been wasted so easterners could reap the benefits of what the west est still had After Governor Norris at the afternoon session had said the idea of the federal fed federal federal fed fed- eral government reaping benefits of the west's natural resources was a selfish selfish selfish sel sel- sel- sel fish one on the part of easterners and that the stat states s could best care for themselves them them- elves selves in this respect Governor of Colorado rave ave his vend version on of new n na- na He declared monopolies could be controlled easier by state legislatures than by congress and that new nationalism nationalism nationalism na na- na- na and i the idea of greater centralization cen cen- of power was advocated for tor political reasons and not for better juris juris- d diction tion I Governor Sloan of Arizona declared the states could best control water rights and public lands although he said the recently completed irrigation work done by the government in his territory was was beneficial Noel for Federal Control When these states state's rights ideas h had d been expressed Governor Noel of Mississippi Mississippi l sippi spoke in no uncertain terms in behalf be bo- half halt of the federal control of resources He based his ideas he said on the fact that the union was one great family and that thal one should help the other This idea was inspired by the fact that MississippI Mississippi Mississippi Mis Mis- once had wealth in natural re resources resources resources re- re sources but through mismanagement by state officials the commonwealth now gained nothing from Its extensive forests This brought a warm retort from Governor Governor Governor Gov Gov- Norris who said that because MIssissippi MissIssIppi Mississippi Mis Mis- had mismanaged ed her affairs was no reason why the people of that state should try to put the control of the natural resources of of- the west in the hands of the federal government Governor Hadley in his address on Employers Liability and Workmen's Compensation suggested that a committee commit commit- tee of governors be appointed to draft drafta a bill to be presented to all legislatures No action was taken on the suggestion and the subject was deferred until to tomorrow tomorrow to to- morrow morning The question of perfecting a permanent organization was discussed at the executive executive tive five session It was understood but no action was taken Many of the governors governors governors gov gov- ta favored this Undeveloped Resources in West Wet The undeveloped resources resource are largely large large- ly in the public land state that is to say in th the west said Governor Gover Gover- nor Norris in the older states where resources have been consumed in prodIgal prodigal prod prod- gal use the views of the nationalists seem to meet popular approval In the newer states where use and waste have not prevailed so extensively there Is a decided conviction that the respective ve vesta sta states tes can and should conserve resources and that an apportionment of financial benefits should be only state wId in scope The right use and development of resources will not produce any considerable ble public revenues The general public cannot receive any direct dividends from this source The chief bene benefit t which the east ma may receive from the development of oC western western west west- westI I em ern resources will come comA through commercial commer commer- cial channels The withdrawal of acres of ot land from entry and use ha has hap he been m a severe check upon western western west west- em ern development and industrial ent enterprises enterprises enter enter- r- r IrIses in the populous centers have felt the effect Of the acres of land In the state of Montana acres or nearly one half have been withdrawn from appropriation A people who can prosper under these conditions deserve some consideration Governor Norris attacked certain phases of the tho administration of the forests forests for for- ests and referring to Secretary Wilson said He is being hampered by certain en enthusiastic conservationists sometimes referred to As faddists who have created considerable public sentiment t td to the ef effect effect ef- ef fed that to clear off oft the trees Jrees preparatory preparatory preparatory tory to the cultivation of the soil Is a sacrilege even though the soil would grow fruit trees Governor Go Norris discussed at length the tho conservation of mineral lands and wat waterpower waterpower water water- r- r power sites and continued The Tue distance distance distance dis dis- tance from the thA place of opel operation to the forum of authority and the number of hands through h which any government hu business must pass make cost of supervision supervision supervision super super- vision large and delays excessive This is clearly illustrated ted In government t reclamation of lands where the cost is larger than when like work is supervised i iby by the state and far greater than when the s same me kin of ot work II Is performed ined by private enterprises The cost and in inconvenience inconvenience In in- convenience attendant upon unon the administration administration administration adminis adminis- of forests further Illustrate the weakness of federal supervision |