Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-11-18
GOVERNORS To
MEET WITH
PRESIDENT
CONFERENCE CALLED TO
DISCUSS CONSERVATION
Proper Use and Protection of
County'S Resources Most
MomentouS Question Now
Confronting Nation,

- ~''' e'iAl = iNNAAtNlif
BY Morning Journal Special Leased Wire. I
Washington, Nov. President
Roosevelt has invited the governors
of the states and territories to meet
him at the White House May l3 next
10 discuss the questions of means to
conserve the natural resources OF the
country Invitations are to be ex-
tended TO the members OF both houses
OF congress, and to the inland water
ways commission. The Importance
and manner In which the subject Is
to be considered are indicated In the
presidents letter TO the governors,
which was made public at the White
House today The letter follows;
The natural resources of the ter
ritories Of the United states were. at
the time OF settlement. richer and
more available than those Of any 9TH
er equal area on the surface OF the
earth The development of these re-
sources has given US far more than a
century rate Of Increase OF popular
effect on 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
resources. II Is equally observed that
the vigOr and success which We desire
and foresee for this nation IN the flu
ture must have this as it's ultimate
material basis.
"In view OF these evident facts It
seems to me time for the country to
take account of its natural resources
and To inquire how long they are like
ly 10 last. We are prosperous now
we should not forget that II will be
lust az important to our descendants
90 be prosperous in their time as II
is for MS to be prosperous In our time
Recently | expressed the opinion
that there is another question before
the nation of equal gravity with the
question Of conservation OF our nat
urai resources, and added that II Is
the plain duty of those OF us who for
tho moment are responsible to make
inventory OF the natural resources
which have been handed down TO us
to forecast as well as we may the
needs Of the future and he method to
handle the great glories Of our pros
perity so as not TO destroy In advance
all hope for prosperity Of our descend
ants
1T is evident that the abundant nat
uraI resources on which the welfare of
this nation rests are becoming de-
pleted aud IN not few cases are al
ready exhausted. This Is true of all
portions Of the United states; Il H. es-
pecially true OF the longer settled
communities of the east and the grav-
ity of the situation must. / believe.
appeal with special force to the gov
ernors of the states. because OF their
close relations TO the people and their
responsibility for the welfare OF thir
communities | have therefore de-
cided. in accordance with the sugges-
tlon OF the inland waterways commits
sion, to ask the governors of states
and territories to meet at the White
House on May 13. ~ and Is. 10 con-
fer with the president and with each
other upon the conservation Of nat
ural resources.
1T gives me pleasure TO invite you
to take part i'm this conference.
should be glad 10 have you select three
citizens To accompany you, and 10 at
tend the conference as your assistants
or advisers. / shall also invite the
senators and representatives OF the
sixtieth congress to be present at the
sessions, so far as their duties will
permit The matters to be considered
at thI sconference are not confined
10 any region or group OF states, but
are Of vital concern to the nation as a
whole and to all the people. Those
ion OF the mineral resources OF the
land aud also the resources Of the wa
ters in every part OF the country
'In order 10 open the discussion I
ihall Invite few recognized authori-
les 10 present descriptions OF the ac-
ual facts and conditions without any
argument. leaving the conference 20
Zeal with each topic as 10 may elect.
The members OF the inland water
Ways commission will he present In
rider to share with me the benefit OF
he Information and suggestions and
{ desired TO set forth their provisional
llans and conclusions Facts which I
AN not gainsay force me 10 believe
hat the conservatism uf our natural
'esources is the most weighty question
low before the people ~ the United
states. n this is so. the proposed
which Is the first ~ iis
,ind. will be among the most impor-
ant ia our history IN IT'S effects upon
he welfare of the people.
Il earnestly hope my dear COVER
lor. that you viii find 80 possible Go
Pc present. sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The inland waterways commission
sill meet in this city on the 2sth
nst, 90 formulate "a report on iis OPP /
rations during the past summer. IN .
luding IFS Inspections Of the Missis- /
ippi river with President Roosevelt F.
n October. The commission VIII then I
nnounce 20 the world that IT, work D. 1
iot confined 10 navigation. but eN- /
ends 10 the utilization or other re- j
ourccs 81 the country from all points .
n view The commission was largely .
for the presidents an 4
IOuncememt az Memphis that he {
would call convention fu meet in /
10 consider the couscrva-
inn OF the natural resources Of the I
ountry. including not only water but
imber. oil. etc. and ifs members are 4
-iVing much attention Go that meeting I
Q Was al first announced that The 4
difference would hc held in January
'ut lts pnetpnnement until May has
,cen determined upon by The COVER
.ors Of number of states tgaf VIII
'o unable 10 attend ai thc carlier date.
instead OF being mass convention,
IL was a. first expected. the present
mention is o. make Do quiet confer
nee between the president and some
u his advisers with the governors 20 /
hc various states.