The sun., 1907-11-18
TO CONSERVE OUR RESOURCES
PRESIDENT CALLS A CONFER
ENCE FOR NEXT SPRING.

Invites the Governors az the states and
Territories 60 Meet nc the white House
on May m. IA and NJ TO Discuss Means
Sr Preservlng Our National wealth.
WASHINGTON, Nov. ia notable con-
ference to consider means TO conserve the
natural resources Of the country has bcsn
called by President Roosevelt 60 meet at
the White House for three days In May
next. The Governors Of all the States
have been invited to participate in the
conference. and the members OF the Inland
Waterways Commission will also take part
in It. The following letter. which was
sent by the President to the several Gov
ernors under date OF November II. was
made public to-day
MY DEAB GOVERNOR: The natural re-
sources OF the territory Of the United States
were 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 the resources has given
US Tor more than century a rate OF increase
tn population and wealth undreamed Of by
the men who founded our Government and
without parallel in history. II ls obvious that
the prosperity which we now enjoy rests
directly upon these resources It is equally
NDNNOuh buhb buS NlkOT ana 1uCC0st NniOn
we desire and foreses for this nation In the
future must have this as its ultimate material
basis.
In view Of these evident facts IL seems 20
me that IL is time for the country to take
account OF its natural resources andtO inquire
how long they are likely to last. We are
prosperous now; we should not forget that IL
will be just as important to our descendants
TO be prosperous In their tins as 1t ID to us
to be prosperous in our time.
Recently expressed the opinion that there
IN no other question now before the nation OF
equal gravity with the question OF the con-
servation or our natural resources, and I
added that it is the plain duty OF those of us
who for the moment are responsible 20 make
inventory Of the natural resources which
have been handed down TO us, to forecast a.
wei as we may the needs OF the future, and 80
to handle the great sources Of our prosperity
as not to destroy In advance all hope Of the
prosperity Of our descendants.
10 II evident that the abundant natural
resources on which the welfare Of this nation
rests are becoming depleted. and in not few
cases are already exhausted. This is true Of
all portions Of the United States: it In es-
pectally true Of the longer settled communities
OF the East. The gravity Of the situation
must. I believe. appeal with especial force
TO the Governors OF the States. because OF
their close relations to the people and their
responsibility for the welfare OF their COM
muntties. I have therefore decided, In ac-
cordance 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 IS. u and rs to confer
with the President and with each other upon
the conservation OF natural resources.
IL gives me great pleasure to invite YOU to
take part in this conference. ] should be
glad TO have you select three citizens to ao-
company you and to attend the conference
as your assistants OF advisers. / shall also
invite the Senators and Representatives OF
the present Congress to be present at tho ses-
sions 80 far as their duties will permit
The matters to be considered at this con-
ference are not confined to any region or
group OF States. but are Of vital concern 20
the nation as a whole and to all the people.
These subjects include the use and conserva-
tion 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 discusson l shall invite q
few recognized authorities to present brief
descriptions Of actual facts and conditions
without argument. leaving the conference
to deal with each topic as it may elect. The
members OF the Inland Waterways Commits
sion will be present in order 70 share with me
the benefit of information and suggestion and
II desired. to set forth THAR provisional plans
and conclusions.
Facts which l cannot gainsay force mo
to believe that the conservation Of our natural
resources Ia the most weiRhty question now
before the people Of the United States II
this is 40 the proposed conference. which is
the first Of its kind. will be among the most
important gatherings In our history in It's ef-
feet upon the welfare Of all our people,
1 earnestly hope. my dear Governor. that
you will find II possible to be present.