The Columbus journal., 1907-11-20
INVITES governors
PRts,oeEr ASKS rHEM 70 MEET
Hlea IN CONFERENCE:
:uA Is. Il lRD IS TIE Dates
7ke. Cresticn Of Natural Resources
Vial &c t;e U%ppermost Topic
ct Discussion.

Vial &c tae U~ppernost Topic
ct Discussion.
Washington - President Roosevelt
has invited TIE governors CT the states
and territories to meet h;r. at the
White House. May Is, IA al'. Is nett.
to discuss the question CT means t"
conserve the natural resources of the
country. Invitations are to be ex-
tended to the members of both houses
of congress ard to the inland water
ways commission. The Importance
anc manner in which the subject is
to be considered are indicated in the
presidents letter to the governors.
which WIS made public at the White
House Sunday. The Letter fellows:
THE natural resources CT the ter
ritcry CT the United States were, at
the time CT settlement. richer, more
varied and mere available than those
Of any other equs! area on the surface
of the earth. The development Of
these resources las given US for more
than a century a rate Of increase OF
population and wealth undreamed OF
by the men WHO founded our govern
ment and without parallel in history.
1t is obcicus that the vigcr and sue
cess which We desire, and .foresee for
this na.:cn in the future must have
this as its ultimate material basis.
IN view of these evident facts, 1t
seems to me time for this country TO
take account of its natural resources
and inquire how long they are likely
to last. We are prosperous now: We
should not forget that it will be just
as important to u descendants to be
prosperous in their times al 1t is for
Us to be prosperous In our time. Re-
Gently I expressed the opinion that
there IL no other question nov before
the nation of equal gravity with the
question of the CONSERVATISM Of our
national resources. and l added that
it is the plain duty of those of US
who for the moment are responsible
to make inventory of the natural re-
sources 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 eur
prosperity ss not to destroy in ad-
vance all hope CT the prosperity Of
our descendants.
1t is evident that the abundant
natural resources on which the we.-
fare of this nation rests are becoming
depleted. and in not a few cases are
already exhausted. This is true of all
portions of the United States, it is
especially true of the longer settled
of the east. The situa-
tiCn, l believe, must appeal with equal
force to the governors of the states.
of their close relations to the
people and their responsibility for the
welfare of their communities. l have
decided, in accordance with
the suggestion of the inland water
ways commission. 90 ask the govern
0rs OF the states and territories to
meet at the White House on May -,
IA and Is to confer with the presi-
dent and with each other upon the
conservation of natural resources. i
1t gives me great pleasure to in
vite you to take part In this confer
eace. I should be glad to have you
reject three citizens to accompany
you and to attend the conference as
your assistants or advisers. I shall
llso invite the senators and repre-
Of the Sixtieth congress to
be present ut the sessions. 50 far as
heir duties will permit. The matters
to be considered At this conference |
lre mot confined to any region. Or
group OF states. but are Of vital o. |
uern to the nation Is . whole and
% all the people. These subjects
IAclude the. use and conservation Of |
the mineral resources. the resources !
Of the land and the resources OF the
waters in every part OF 0ur territory.
In order to open discussion I shall
Invite . few recognized authorities to
present brief descriptions OF actual
facts and conditions. without argu. !
ment. leaving this conference to deal |
with each topic as 1t may elect. The |
members Ct the inland waterways !
will be present, in order !
to share with me the benefit or infor. |
nation and suggestions. and II desired
b set forth their provisional plans
and conclusions.
Facts. which I cannot gainsay, |
force me to believe that the conserva. |
ton Of our natural resources is the
most weishty question now before |
the people of the United States. II
this is 30 the proposed conference,
which IL the first Of its kind. will be !
amQng the most important gatherings |
.our history in its effect upon the |
welfare Of all our people.
Il earnestly hope. my dear gov.
ernor. that you will find 1t possible to
be present. Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
TAocART SAYS r. ls BRYAN.
Indiana Man Says He Will BE Noml-
nafad ~ Ms0~ In lle>d |