The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-05-15
JAMES ]. HILL
SOUNDS NOTE
Of WARNING
Principal Address at White
: House Conference by Rail-
way Magnate.
ACTION OF SOME KIND
WILL BE TAKEN TODAY
SOME CRITICISM OF FOREST RE-
SERVE POLICY OF GOVERNORS
FROM MOUNTAIN STATES.

Washington, May 14.-Startllng was
the warning sounded today at the con-
ference of governors at the White
House of the danger the nation con-
fronts in soil waste and forest deple-
ton. The governors listened and talked
and applauded, but took no action. This
is left for tomorrow, the last day of the
conference, and a plan is afoot to have
the prepared speeches for that day
printed in the record without reading
in order that the time may be devoted
wholly TO results.
Resolutions Will Be Adopted.
The resolutions committee was in
session all day, and Will report in the
morning. supplementary meeting OF
a number of governors followed the
days session, and committee consist
ing of the governors of Kentucky, Mis-
souri, and Nebraska was appointed to
bring in a suggestion for a permanent
organization of governors. independent
perhaps of any other organization
which may be formed by the confer
ence. The president opened the morn
ing and afternoon sessions, which were
thereafter presided over by Governor
Johnson of Minnesota, and Governor
MIR. Hill impressive.
James j. Hill of the Great Northern.
who led a long list of speakers, treated
ehe depletion of the nations resources
in very serious and Impressive way.
He presented conditions respecting
mineral, soil and forests. showing wan
ton waste in each instance, and drew
picture of political chaos when all were
gone, wherein the people would tear
down the very pillars of government.
Mr.. Hill believed such results could and
should be avoided by prompt action.
Soil waste and forest conservation
received expert treatment by Professor
Chamberlain of Chicago and r. A.
Long of Kansas City, after which was
evidenced the desire of the convention
&c engage in general discussion. The
demand to be heard was insistent, and
the same eagerness was manifested at
the close of the afternoon program,
which included an address on irrigation
by former Governor Pardee of CalifOr-
mia; a paper on grazing and stock rails
ing, read for II. A. JastrO of California,
who was taken i'll during the day. and
general observations on land condi-
lions in the west by former Senator
4srey of Wyoming.
Criticism From the West.
Issue was squarely joined as to some
of the methods pursued by the gov
eminent in the regulation of forest re-
serves by four governors from the
northwest. The first TO criticize was
Governor Brook of Wyoming. He said
il was not just to Wyoming. with one
sixth of her domain in forest reserves,
10 be taxed to support the national
forestry organization, which did work
in all other states, many of which
made no revenue return to the Organi-
cation.
Governor Cutler of Utah was not so
pronounced In lis criticism. but gave
details of what his state had done on
irrigation and waterway improve
ments.
Governor GoOding of Idaho granted
the right of the nation 10 make water
way improvements, but cOntended
Athat resources lying within the Dor
~iArs of a state should be left to It,
This was the feeling of Idaho regard
ing her forests.
Montana Governors Opinion.
Governor Norris of Montana said
that his state had 21,0OO.OOO acres of
forest reserve, and was not complain
ing. but we want no more of them,
Mr Secretary" turning 10 Secretary
Garfield. general reply to these
criticisms was made by Secretary
Garfield. VINO followed. State lines
mean much. he admitted, but state
lines had been Overpassed by the men
and women of the country. By the
same process trade and commerce had
wiped out state lines, but" he added,
that does not for one moment mean
that these great political sovereigns
are losing any OF their rights or that
the powers of the federal government
shall infringe upon political indus
trial or personal rights; but IL does
mean that III the progress of our
country those powers which are latent
must be developed"
Mr.. Hill said that in some respects the
occasion that called together the present
assemblage is unprecedented.
Continued on Page 2.