Andrew Gulliford opines that Theodore Roosevelt, if
he came back today, would be flabbergasted by the Interior
Department’s recent decision to jettison years of study on
BLM wilderness areas (HCN, 10/13/03: Where’s Teddy when you need
him?).
I’m not so sure. Roosevelt certainly knew and
respected John Muir, and supported his vision to preserve and
protect the greatest scenic and natural attractions of America. But
Roosevelt also knew and respected Gifford Pinchot, another great
American, whom Teddy appointed to be the first chief of the Forest
Service. Pinchot was pragmatic, and believed the public lands
should be managed for “the greatest good of the greatest number of
people in the long run.” This concept eventually developed into the
concept of multiple use.
In many ways, Roosevelt combined
the best qualities of both Muir and Pinchot. He believed in
preserving and protecting some parts of the public land, but he
also believed the public lands should provide a wide variety of
goods and services to support the growth and development of a great
nation.
Yes, I think if Roosevelt came back today, he
would be satisfied with the way things turned out. He would likely
smile, adjust his spectacles, and say “Good show, ol’ chaps.
Keep up the good work.”
Jim Gerber
St. Anthony,
Idaho
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Roosevelt was a pragmatic conservationist.
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