The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-05-22
CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS
Historic Event Of the First Magnude-The Conservation Of
Natural Resources Discussed.


should be averted by prompt action.
Soil waste and forest conservation
received expert treatment by Prof T.
C. Chamberlain of Chicago and r. A.
Long Of Kansas City, after which was
evidenced the desire Of the conven.
tion to engage in general discussion.
Many Are Heard.
The demand to be heard was insist.
ent and the same eagerness was mani
tested at the close Of the afternoon
program, which included an address
on irrigation by Former Governor Par
dee of California, who was taken i'll
during the day, and general observa-
lions en- land conditions in the West
by Former Senator Carey of Wyon1.
ing.
Secretary Wilson met a hearty re,
Spouse to a practical talk onsthe mis-.
takes in farming and the remedies.
The same crop each year on the same
land, as he showed, was ruinous. Di-
versity of crops and keeping the prop
err quantity of organic matter in the
soil YVES the secret of larger produc-
ton and benefit to the land.
The convention then listened>to the
record of Wisconsin on the control Of
minerals and timber, as set forth by
Gov. Davidson of that state.
Governors Unite on Declaration.
Washington, May 1.-THE first con-
ference of the governors of the states
of the American Union ended yester.
Gay. The accomplishments of the
conference cannot be set forth with
mathematical precision. That it's i'm
mediate results are more than ample
is the expression of President Roose-
welt, who brought it about, and OF
the governors who participated.
The States Must Act.
The printed record of the confer
ence, which will later be available to
every American home, will be a COM
pilation of facts, startling in their
meaning, convincing in their univer
sal conclusion that the states must
act, and that the states and the ma
ton must cooperate to the end that to
the whole people of. the nation may
accrue the lasting benefit of its natural
resources.
Besides the compilation of facts by
the experts and the freely expressed
opinion of the governors, the confer
ence leaves as its permanent record
a thousand words Of declaration"
Not declaration of independence"
but declaration of cooperation"
Permanent Organization.
Perhaps greater in Importance than
all else was the determination of the
governors of the states to perfect a
permanent organization whereby a
heretofore unknown intimacy may be
developed among the executives of the
forty-six sovereign states, made
strong by common purpose and
made potent by announcements
which may not lightly be disregarded.
OF the last day the story is one Of
many features. The set program was
swept aside. The president presided
throughout. He interjected remarks
and speeches. He brought to the plat.
form men who made plain the pre-.
vailing feeling that thought and care
must be exercised for the future.
Bryan Makes Speech.
The prepared papers were not pre-.
sented, but they will be printed in the
permanent record. Their place was
taken first by the declaration" which
was adopted after discussion which
brought to light no serious objection
TO it's affirmations. Then William ].
Bryan was presented by the president.
He touched the same chords which
had produced the vibration of har-
mony and cooperation A governors
discussion brought many state execu.
tives to the platform, but the product
was altogether that Of harmony.
The Declaration.
The declaration is prefaced by a re.
iteration of what has been said in the
conference regarding the necessity for
united action, which will result in the
| preservation of the natural resources
of the country. 1t heartily commends
the action of President Roosevelt In
calling the conference, and recon-
n,ends that future conferences of a
like character be called by the presi-
dent at such times as conditions war.
rant and his Judgment shall sanction.
Legislation by congress and the
states is suggested not specifically,
but along general lines to further the
ends sought. 1t is also suggested that
the states individually put the subject
| into the hands OF the competent com.