Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
GOVERNORS
CONFERENCE
TO PLAN FOR PRESERVATION OF
coUNTRYs NATURAL RE-
SOURCES.
CALLED BY PRESIDENT
GOVERNORS OF STATES AND TER.
r.. DRIES INVITED TO WHITE
HOUSE IN MAY.

Washington. President Roosevelt
has invited the governors OF the states
and territories to meet him at the
White House May 18th, 14th and 18th
next to discuss the question 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
way 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 pub
lie at the White House Sunday. The
letter follows:
Ihe natural resources of the terri
tory of the United States were, at the
time of settlement, richer, more va
ried and more available than those of
any other equal area on the surface of
the earth. The development of these
resources have given us for more than
century rate of increase of popula-
ton and 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. 1t is equally obvious
that the vigor and success which we
desire and foresee for this nation in the
future 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 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 time as it is to lis
to be prosperous in our time.
Recently l expressed the opinion
that there is no other question before
the nation of equal gravity with the
question of conservation of our natural
resources. and l added that it is the
plain duty of those of US who for the
moment are responsible to take inven-
tory of the natural resources which
have been handed down to us to fore
cast as well as view may the needs of
the future and the method to handle
the great glories of cur prosperity and
not destroy in advance all hope for
prosperity of our descendants.
1T is evident that the abundant nat
ural resources on which the welfare of
this nation rests are becoming depict
ed, and in not few cases are already
exhausted. 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 situ-
alton must, l believe, appeal with spe-
cial force to the governors of the states
because Of their close relations to the
| 60 : l,a
welfare Of their communities. l have
therefore decided, in accordance with
the suggestion of the inland waterways
commission, to ask the governors of
states and territories to meet at the
White House on May 18th, 14th and
18th to confer with the President and
with each other upon the conservation
of natural resources.
1T gives me great pleasure to invite
you to take part in this conference /
should be glad to have you select three
citizens to accompany you and to at
tend the conference as your assistants
or advisers. l shall also invite the SEN
ators and representatives of the Six.
tieth Congress to be present at the ses-
sions SO far as their duties will per-
init.
THE matters to be considered at this
conference are not confined to any re-
giou or group of states, but are of vital
concern to the nation as whole and to
all the people. These subject include
the use and conservation of the min
eral resources of the land, the re.
sources Of the waters, in every part of
the country.
in order to open discussion I shall
invite few recognized authorities TO
present brief descriptions of the actual
facts and conditions without argument,
leaving the conference to deal with
each topic as it may elect. The mem
bers of the inland waterways commits
sion will be present In order to share
with me the benefit OF information and
suggestions. and, IL desired, to set forth
their pyosisional plans and conclusions.
Facts which can not gainsay force
me to believe that the conservation of
our natural resources Is the most
weighty question now before the peo
Pile of the United States. II this is SO,
the proposed conference. which is the
first of its kind. will be among the
most important In our history in its ef
fects upon the welfare of the people.
II earnestly hope, my dear governor
that you will find It possible to be pres
ent. Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"