New-York tribune., 1907-11-18
GOVERNORS INVITED.
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT.
Cal for Meeting to Consider Con
serving Natural Resources.

Washington, Nov. 17.-President Roosevelt
has invited the Governors of the states and ter
ritores TO meet him at the White House on
May IS, II 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 the two houses of Congress and
TO the Inland Waterways Commission. The i'm
portance 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 to-day The letter follows:
The natural resources of the territory Of the
United States were at the time of the settlement
richer varied and more available than
those of any other equal area on the surface of
the earth. The development OF these resources
has given us for more than century a rate Of
increase in population and wealth undreamed of
by the men who founded our government and
without parallel in history 1t is obvious tina:
the prosperity which we now enjoy rests directly
on these resources. 1t is equally obvious that
the vigor and success which we desire and fore
see for this nation in the future must have this
as the ultimate material basis.
In view of these evident facts II seems to me-
time for the country to take account of its
natural resources and 70 inquire how long they
are likely TO last. We are prosperous now: We
should not forget that il will be lust as i'm
portant 10 our descendants TO be prosperous in
their time as il is to us TO be prosperous in our
time
no other question now before the nation of equal
gravity with the question OF the conservation OF
our natural resources, and added that IL is the
plain duty or those OF US Who for the moment
are responsible 10 make inventory of the natural
resources which have been handed down To US,
10 forecast as well as we may the needs of the
future and 10 handle the great sources of
our prosperity not to destroy in advance all
hope Of the prosperity of our descendants
II is evident that the abundant natural re-
sources on which the welfare of this nation rests
arc becoming depleted and in not few cases
are already exhausted This is true of all Dor
tions of the United States; IL is especially true
OF the longer settled communities OF the East
The gravity OF the situation must believe. ap-
peal with special force TO the Governors of the
states, because of their close relations TO the
people and their responsibility for the welfare Of
their communities. / have therefore decided, in
accordance with the suggestion of the Inland
Waterways Commission. TO ask the Governors
of the states and territories tC at the White
House on May H. II and Is TO confer with the
President and with each other on the ConServa- -
tion of natural resources
1t gives me great pleasure TO invite YOU to
take part in this conference. T should be glad
10 have you select three citizens to accompany
You and TO attend the conference as your as
Slstants or advisers. shall also invite the Sen
atOrS and Representatives of the Goth Congress
10 be present at the sessions, so far as their
duties will permit. The matters to be consid-
cred at this conference are not confined to any
region or group of states. but of vital
Germ to the nation a whole and to all the peo-
pie These subjects include the and
servation 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 l shall invite few
recognized authorities to present brief descrip-
tionS of actual facts and conditions without ar
gument. leaving the conference to deal with
each topic as II may elect The members of the
Inland Waterways Commission will be present
in order TO share with me the benefit of in
formation and suggestion and, If desired, to
forth their provisional plans and conclusions
Facts which cannot gainsay force me to be
lieve that the conservation of our natural re-
sources Is the most weighty question before
the people of the United States. If this is so.
the proposed conference, which is the first of its
kind, will he among the most important gather
ings In history I'm its effect upon the well
fare Of all people.
] earnestly hope, my dear Governor. that you
will find IL possible to be present. Sincerely
yours THEODORE ROOSEVELT.