The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-18
To Meet Him in Washington in
the Middle of May.
THE WAYS AND MEANS
For Conserving the Natural Re-
sources Of the Country.
Congress and Waterways Com
mission Also to Be There.

Washington, Nov. 1S-President
Roosevelt has invited the governors OF
the states and territories to meet him
at the While House May Is, IA and 15
next to discuss the question of means
10 conserve the natural resources OF
the country. Invitations are to be ex-
tended to the members of both houses
or congress, and to the Inland Water
ways commission. The Importance and
manner in which the subject is to be
considered are indicated in the presi-
dents letter to the governors which
was made public at the White House
today. The letter follows:
The natural resources of the terri
tory of the United States were at the
ana more valuable than those of any
other equal area on the surface of the
earth. The development of these re-
sources has given US for more than
century a rate of increase of popula-
ton and wealth undreamed of by the
men who founded our government, and
without parallel in history. 1t is
obvious that the prosperity which we
now enjoy rests directly upon these re-
sources. 1t is equally obvious that the
vigor and success which we desire and
foresee for this nation in the future
must have this as it's ultimate material
basis.
I'm view of these evident facts it
take account of its natural resources
and to inquire how long they are
likely to last. We are prosperous now;
we should not forget that it will be just
as important to our descendants to be
prosperous in their time as it is to US
to be prosperous in our time
Recently. 1 expressed the opinion
that there is no other question now be-
fore the nation of equal gravity with
the, question of the conservation of our
n md + G. "a iC
the plain duty of those of US who for
the moment are responsible to make
inventory of the natural. resources
which have been handed down to us,
to forecast as we'll as we may the needs
of the future and SO to handle the
great sources of our prosperity as not
to destroy in advance all hoIe of the
prosperity of our descendants,
cit is evident that the abundant ma
tural resources on which the welfare
of this nation rests are becoming de-
pleted, and in not a few cases are al
ready exhausted This is true of all
portions of the United States. 1t is
especially true of the longer settled
ommunities of the east. The gravity
of the situatio must, 1 believe, appeal
with special force to the governors of
the states, because of their close re-
lations to the people and their reSpon-
sibility for the welfare of their COM
munities 1 have therefore decided, in
accordance with the suggestion of the
inland waterways commission to ask
the governors of the states and terri
tories to meet at the White House on
May 10, IA and Is to confer with the
president and with each other upon
the conservation of natural resources.
1T gives me great pleasure to in
vite you to take part in this confer
ence. 1 should be glad to have you Sc
1ect three citizens to accompany you
and to attend the conference as your
assistants or advisors I shall also in
VII IA a nd foti
of the Sixtieth congress to be present
at the. session so far as their duties
will permit. The matters to be con-
sidered at this conference are not con-
fined to any region or group of states,
but to the nation as whole and to all
the people. Those subjects include the
use and conservation of the mineral
resources, the resources of the land
and the resources of the waters in
every part of our territory. In order
to open discussion. I shall invite | few
recognized authorities to present brief
descriptions of actual facts and con-
ditions without argument, leaving the
conference to deal with each topic as
1t may elect. The members of the in
land waterway commission will be
present to share with me the benefit
of information and suggestions and
desire to set forth their provisional
plans and conclusions.
Facts which L can not gainsay force
me to believe the conservation of our nat
ton now before the people of the United
States. If this is so the proposed confer
>ence which is the first of its kind will be
among the most important gatherings in
our history in its effect upon the welfare
of the people.
II earnestly hope, my dear governor
that you will find it possible to be pres
ent. Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The inland waterways commission will
meet in this city on the twenty-fifth in
slant to formulate a report on its opera
lions during the past summer including
its inspections of the Mississippi river
with President Roosevelt in October The
world that its work is not confined to the
navigation. but extends to the utilization
of other resources of the country from
all points OF view. The commission was
largely responsible for the presidents an
nouncement at Memphis that he would
call a convention to meet in Washington
to consider the conservation of the natu-
raj resources of the country including not
only water, but timber. oil, ETC. and its
members are giving much attenti to that
meeting. 1t was first announced the con-
ference would be held in January. but its
postponement until May has been deterrn
ined upon, because the governors of a
number of states will be unable to attend
mass convention was at first expected
the present intention is to make it a Quiet
conference between the president and
some of his advisers with the Royernors
of the various states.
RUSHED THE BEETs THROUGH.