Presidential addresses and state papers, Volume 4 (of 7)Roosevelt, Theodore
History
Presidential addresses and state papers, Volume 4 (of 7)
Roosevelt, Theodore
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919; United States -- Politics and government -- 1901-1909
The law forbidding the emission of dense black or gray smoke in the
City of Washington has been sustained by the courts. Something has
been accomplished under it, but much remains to be done if we would
preserve the Capital City from defacement by the smoke nuisance.
Repeated prosecutions under the law have not had the desired effect. I
recommend that it be made more stringent by increasing both the minimum
and maximum fine; by providing for imprisonment in cases of repeated
violation; and by affording the remedy of injunction against the
continuation of the operation of plants which are persistent offenders.
I recommend, also, an increase in the number of inspectors, whose duty
it shall be to detect violations of the act.
* * * * *
I call your attention to the generous act of the State of California
in conferring upon the United States Government the ownership of the
Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove. There should be no
delay in accepting the gift, and appropriations should be made for
the including thereof in the Yosemite National Park, and for the care
and policing of the park. California has acted most wisely as well as
with great magnanimity in the matter. There are certain mighty natural
features of our land which should be preserved in perpetuity for our
children and our children’s children. In my judgment the Grand Canyon
of the Colorado should be made into a national park. It is greatly to
be wished that the State of New York should copy as regards Niagara
what the State of California has done as regards the Yosemite. Nothing
should be allowed to interfere with the preservation of Niagara Falls
in all their beauty and majesty. If the State can not see to this, then
it is earnestly to be wished that she should be willing to turn it over
to the National Government, which should in such case (if possible,
in conjunction with the Canadian Government) assume the burden and
responsibility of preserving unharmed Niagara Falls; just as it should
gladly assume a similar burden and responsibility for the Yosemite
National Park, and as it has already assumed them for the Yellowstone
National Park. Adequate provision should be made by the Congress for
the proper care and supervision of all these national parks. The
boundaries of the Yellowstone National Park should be extended to
the south and east to take in such portions of the abutting forest
reservation as will enable the Government to protect the elk on their
winter range.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account