Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-26

and preservingythe old On the early settle
| ment OF this country a great part Of II was
covered bylcontlnuous woods These forests
had grown undisturbed for countless CEN
turtles. But civilization came and hewed its
way into the wilderness. II consigned the
most valuable timber TO the log heap and
converted the land into fruitful farms. The
| impression was engendered that the supply
OF timber was inexhaustible. and that 1t was
rather in he way than otherwise. This had
induced sawastefulress under which the
spoliation Of forests had progressed so far
that the American people were confronted
with the possibility that at no distant
day they might be obliged to import lumber
from other countries for ordinary needs. II
was only wheu the forests had almost en-
tirely disappeared that their value was being
realized. The value Of the timber consumed
annually in the United States was three
times the value of its annual output Of gold
and silver and three times the value of its
wheat crop. II had been the experience of
all nations that the disappearance of the
forests had a depressing effect on agricul-
ture, and the prestige and glory of the ma
tions had vanished with the forests that
crowned their prosperous country.
The speaker referred to the climatic ef
feet of the trees, which he asserted were
also valuable In regulating the water supply
OF rivers and smaller streams. He cited the
Missouri in this connection and declared that
Its current had become turbd and its chan
mel full OF shoals and quicksands after the
nuded of its timber.
Irrigation was considered as the salvation
OF the arid lands of the west, but the
speaker held that unless the timber was pro-
tected there would soon be no water supply
to make irrigation possible. He held that
the situation was serious and that immedi-
ate steps should be taken by the national
government to patrol the forest lands and
prevent their spoliaticn. The question of for
est extension and tree culture could be best
promoted by disseminating knowledge of
trees and their uses, and thus arouse
healthy and useful veneratlon for the for
ests and widespread sentiment in favor of
their perpetuity The observance of Arbor
day was a powerful factor in this plan ans
should be made universal. At the close of
the address set of resolutions embodying
the views express d in congressional memo
rial, were read and referred to the commit
tee.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS TODAY.
At this mornings session officers will be
elected for the ensuing year. The names
will be presented by the committee on perma
nent organization for ratification by the con-
vention.
The Nicaraguan canal question will be dis
cussed by Hugh Craig of San Francisco, who
represents the Chamber of Commerce of that |
city. Captain W. l.. Merry. who was to
speak on this matter, is unable to be pres
ent
The remainder of the morning will be
devoted to addresses on Freight Rates and |
Dy James V. ManOnSy OF |
Sioux City and Captain Lon Bryson of Dav- |
enport, la. In the afternoon the trip to tbs |
smelter and the stock yards will take the |
place Of the regular session. The evening |
program is not entirely decided on, further
than that Mr. Craig will deliver an address
on Hawaii Mr. Craig is considered one OF
the best Informed men in this country on
this subject. and his address is expected to
be one of the most profitable of the conven
ton. -
The Omaha delegation will meet at the
attendance OF allImembers is requested. as
business of Importance is to be considered.
The following committees have been ap-
pointed: gsr
Permanent Organization-F. W. Gibson
California; f. S. Hart. Idaho; c. w. Norton,
Iowa. II. II. Bagleg, Kansas A. j. Vanlandig-
ham, Missouri: j. w. Clark, Montana; Ross
Nebraska: Pas Vaverde, New
Mexico; Thomas Fl. Wells, South Dakota;
John R. Park. Utah; Paul Compton, Wyom-
ng; w. Buchanan, Minnesota.
Resolutions7--Hugh Craig William Fl. Carl
son, California; T. p. Keator, E. N. Austin,
IDAHO; E. M. Harl A. w. Erwin. Iowa. How
Ill Jones; A. C. Shinn. Kansas; W. Buchanan,
Minnesota j. l.. Bittenger. NJ j. Murphy,
Missouri; Thomas !G. Merrill. W. f. Whitta
ger. Montana; John L. Webster, w. j. Bryan,
l.! Bradford Prince, New Mexico;
J. W. Nibley, Oregon; G. S. Gardner, A. j.
iellar South Dakota: John r. Park, S. S.
TOnes, Utah;, L. Torrey, w. G. Strohm,
Wyoming. .-.'f ,.es D..