The Glenwood post., 1907-11-23
CALL IS SENT
TO GOVERNORS
President Roosevelt Writes to
the Chief Executives Of
All the States
CONSERVE RESOURCES

Washington, Nov. lS.-Presldent HOO
sevelt has invited the governors of the
states and territories to meet him at the
White House May l3, IA and Is next
to discuss the question of means to
conserve the natural resources of the
country Invitations are to be extended
to the members of both houses of con-
gress and to the inland waterways com
mission. The Importance and manner
in which the subject is to be considered
are indicated in the presidents letter
to the governors, which was made pub
lie at the White House today.
The letter, in part, follows:
"The natural resources of the terri
tory of the United States We're at the
time of settlement, richer, more varied
and more available than those of any
other equal area on the surface of the
earth. The development of these re-
tury a rate of increase of population
and wealth undrcamed of by the men
who founded our government and with.
out parallel in history. 1t is obvious
that the prosperity which we now en-
JOY rests directly upon these resources.
1t is equally obvious that the vigor and
success which we desire and foresee
for this nation in the future must have
this as an ultimate basis.
Time for Action,
"In view of this evident fact, it
seems to me time for the country to
take care of its natural resources, and
to inquire how long they are likely to
last. We're prosperous now;we should
not forget that it will be just as impor-
tant to our descendants to be prosper
Gus in their time as ii is to us to be
prosperous in our time.
Resources Being Depleted.
at is evident that the abundant nat
ural resources on which the welfare of
this nation rests are becoming depleted,
and in not few cases are already ex-
hausted. This is true of all portions
of the United States; it is especially true
of the longer settled communities of
the East. The gravity of the situation
must, believe, appeal with special
forces to the governors of the states,
because their close relations to the peo
pie and their responsibility for the wei
fare of their communities. l have there,
fore decided, in accordance with the
suggestion of the inland waterways
states and territories to meet me at the
White house on May 13, IA and 10, to
confer with the president and with
each other upon the conservation of the
natural resources.
Will Hear Authorities.
''ln order to open discussion l shall
invite n few recognized authorities to
present description of the actual facts
and conditions, without argument, leav-
ing the conference to deal with each
topic as it may elect. The members of
the inland waterways commission will
be present in order to share with me
the benefit of information and sugges-
tions, and if desired to set forth their
provisional plans and conclusions.
"Facts which ! cannot gainsay force
me to believe that the conservation of
our natural resources is the most
weighty question now before the peo-
pie of the United States. If this is so,
the proposed conference will be the first
of it's kind and will be among the most
important of the hearings in our his
tory in its effects upon the welfare of
the people.
'I earnestly hope, my dear governor,
that you will find it possible to be pres
ent.
"Sincerely yours,