The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-18

a notable conference to consider means
10 conserve the natural resources Of. the
country has been called by President
Roosevelt. 10 meet at the White House
for three days in May next
The governors Of all the states have
been invited to participate in the confer
ence' and the members OF the inland
waterways commission will also take
part The following letter. which was
sent BY the President to the several gov
ernors, under date Of November. II. was
made public yesterday.
Dear Governor 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 equal area on the s11r-
face Of the earth. The development OF
these resources has given US. for more
than century. rate Of increase in
population and wealth undreamed Of by
the men who founded our government
and without parallel in history.
1T is obvious THAI the prosperity which
We now enjoy rests directly upon these
resources II is equally obvious that the
vigor and success which We desire and
foresee for this nation in the future
must have this as its ultimate material
basis.
The Natural Resources.
In view Of these evident fact. %
seems 70 me time fer the country to
take account Of its natural resources ard
TO inquire how long they are likely ~
last We are prosperous noU. we should
not forget that ii viii be Just as inn
portant 10 our descendants to be mos
Porous in their time as 1t is to US 20 be
prosperous in our time
Recently expressed the opinion that
there is no other question now before
the nation II equal gravity with tie
question or The conservation Of our nat
ural resources and I added that fl js
me plain duty Of those OF Us who for
The moment are responsible. 10 make
inventory Of the natural resources which
nave been handed down 10 us. 10 fore
cast IS well as We may the needs nj
the future. and so 90 handle the cres-
sources OF our prosperity as not 10 de-
stroy in advance all hope Of the pros
perity or our descendants.
1T is evident that the abundant natural
resources on which tie welfare Of this
nation rests are becoming depleted. and
in not few cases already exhausted.
This is true OF an portions OF the United
States II IS especially true Of the longer
settled communities Of the East TIL.
gravity or the situation must. 1 believe.
appeal with special force 10 The GOV
ernors OF the States, because Of their
close relations 10 the people and their
responsibility for she welfare Of their
communities. I have. Therefore decided
IN accordance with the suggestions Of the
inland waterways commission. % ask
The governors of the States and Terri
tories to meet al tie White House ON
May l5. Il. and =. 60 confer with In.
Presicsnt and with each other upon the
conservation Of natural resources.
Bring Three Citizens
1T gives me great pleasure to invit.
you % take part IN this conference 7
should De- glad 60 have you select three
citizens 70 accompany you. and 10 attend
ihe conference as your assistants and
advisors 7 shall also invite the Senator's
and RepreseUtatives Of the Sixtietn Con
gresS TO DE present AT the sessions as
far as their duties win permit.
The matters 10 D. considered AZ This
conference are nos confined TO any region
or group az States. but are nf vital CON
Germ 10 the nation as whole and 10 an
the people These subjects include liz.
use and conservation of the mineral re-
sources. tGe resources of the land. ana
the resources of the waters in every pa-t
Of our territory.
In order 10 open discussion. I shall
invite a few recognized authorities n
present brief descriptions OF actual facts
and conditions, without argument. leav-
ing the conference te deal with each
topic as IT may elect The members Of
the inland waterways commission viii
be present in order TO share with me the
benefit Of Information and suggestion.
and. il desired. 10 set forth their pro-
viSiOual plans and conclusions.
Most Weighty Question.
Facts. which / cannot gainssy. force
me 20 believe that the conservation OF
our natural resources is the most
weighty question now before the peo7,e
Of the United States If this be So. tbe
proposed conference. which is the first
Of its kind viii be among the most i'm
portant gatherings in our history in its
effept upon the welfare OF an our peo-
Pile
Il earnestly hope my dear governor.
that you viii find it possible to be
present