Omaha daily bee., 1907-11-18
GOVERNORS At WHITE HOUSE
President Invites Them to Meet Him
for a Conference.
CONCERNING NATURAL RESOURCES
Most Important Subject, in the Opin-
ion of the President, which
COnfrOnts the Present
Generation.

Roosevelt has invited the governors of the
states and territories TO meet him at the
White House May 12 IA and IS, next, to
discuss the question Of means to con-
serve the natural resources of the coun-
try. Invitations are to BE extended TO
the members OF both houses OF congress
and to the Inland Waterways 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 territory
of the United States were, at the time
of settlement richer, more varied and
more available than those of any other
The development of these resources has
given us for more than century a rate
OF increase Of population and wealth un-
dreamed 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. 1t is equally obvious that the
vgor and success which we desire and fore
see for this nation in the future must
have this as It's ultimate material basis.
In view Of these evident facts, 1t seems
to me time for the country to take ac-
count of its natural resources and to in
quire 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
times as II Is for us to be prosperous In
our time. Recently expressed the opin-
ion that there Is no other question now
the question of the conservation of our
natural resources, and l added. that II is
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 well
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 hope of the prosperity of our de-
scendants.
Resources Being Depleted.
1t is evident that the abundant natural
resources on which the welfare of this ma
tion rests, are becoming depleted, and IN
This Is true of all portions Of the United
States, 1t is especially true OF the longer
settled communities of the east. The
situation, believe, must appeal with equal
force to the governors of the states, be-
| cause Of their close relations to the people
| and their responsibility for the welfare
OF their Communities. / have therefore de-
! cided, in accordance with the suggestion of
| the Inland Waterways commission to ask
! the governors of the states and territories
to meet at the White House on May l3,
! IA and 10 to confer with the president and
with each other upon the conservation Of
| 1t gives me great pleasure to invite you
! to tako part in this conference. 1 should
| be glad to have you select three citizens
| to accompany. you and to attend the con-
| ference as your assistants or advisers.
shall also invite the senators and repre-
4
| present at the sessions so far as their
| duties will permit. The matters to be
considered at this conference are not con-
! fined to any region or group OF states, but
are of vital concern TO the nation a
whole and to all the people. These sub.
| Jects include the use and conservation Of
/ the mineral resources, the resources OF the
| land and the resources OF thu waters In
every part of our territory. \
In order to open discussion shall in
vite few recognized authorities to pre-
| sent brief descriptions of actual facts and
! conditions, without argument. leaving the
| conference to deal with each topic as Il
| may elect. The members of the Inland
| Waterways commission will be present
! in order to share with me the benefit or
| Information and suggestions, and II desired,
to set forth their provisional plans and
| conclusions.
Facts. which 1 cannot gansay, force
me to believe that the conservation OF our
natural resources is the most weighty
| question now before the people of the
! United States. II this is so the proposed
| conference, which is the first of its kind
| will be among the most important gather
| ings In our history in its effect upon the
welfare OF all our people.
| earnestly hope, my dear governor, that
| you will find 1t possible to be present.
| Sincerely yours,
! THEODORE ROOSEVELT.