The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-14
ROOSEVELT AND CARNEGIE
 ARE THE CHIEF SPEAKERS
All Suggestions by President
 Adopted Quickly.
sBlanchard, of Louisiana. Made Chair < man of Committee on Resolutions sy Motion of Johnson of Min-
 pesota = Many states
 Represented.

Washington. May 1s.-The White House was the scene today of the es- semblage of many of the most distin- guished figures in the political and in- dustriai life of the nation.
 It was. perhaps, one of the most not able gatherings that has ever met to consider great public question at that historic mansion. The occasion was the conference by President Roose- welt with the Governors of practically all the states and territories 10 consid- er the broad question of conservation Of the country's natural resources. The conference will continue through Fri day.
 The men who know how the natural resources of the country have been wasted--captains of industry who have dealt with these resources and experts who have studied the conditions--told of the nations prodigality in the ex- ploitatfon and consumption of It's na- tionat resources.
 Representing the government was the president of the United States, the vice president, the cabinet. justices of the United States Supreme Court ana members, of both houses of Congress
 
 chief executives and the conferres ap pointed by them. The industries were represented by Andrew Carnegie. the iron master: James J. Hill. the genius of railway expansion; John Mitchell, the labor leader, and Dr. l. c. White, state geologist of West Virginia ana perhaps the leading expert on coal in the United States.
 The- specially invited guests includ- ed three democratic presidential can didates--W. J. Bryan. Judge Gray Of Delaware and Governor Johnson of Minnesota.
 The subject to be considered inelud- eq the use and conservation of mineral resources. resources of the land and resources of the water.
 The conferences fs the out-growth of the recommendation of the Inland Waterways Commission to the prest- dent. The suggestion of such a gather ang met with the Presidents enthusi- astic approval. Later the President made public letter inviting the gov ernors of the states to attend the con ference. In this communication the President declared that there Is no other question now before the nation of equal gravity with the question Of the conservation of the countrys nat urak resources.
 Delegates Are Prompt.
 Long before the hour when the con ference was called to order in the fa- nous East Room in the White House by President Roosevelt those who took part in the great gathering began to arrive.
 The president received the Governors whe shortly thereafter assembled in the East room. The conference was opened by the president with an ad- dress on Conservation as a National Duty"
 The program for the day included addresses by Andrew Carnegie on ores and Related Minerals" and by Dr. l. C. White, professor of Geology of the University of West Virginia and state geologist of that state, on Mineral Fuels
 Former President John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers of America led the general discussion on coal mining.
 The detailed arrangements for the conference accorded with the import ance of the discussion and with the prominence of the men in attendance. ntmost complete transformation of the East room was effected. Along the east wall was placed a combined frame work and platform ifty-two feet long and nineteen feet high. This was ar tlstically covered with green velvet trimmed with gold rope This frame work anorded a proper setting for two
 
 of which Is colored to graphically show phe various resources of the country.
 The Governors occupied the seats of honor just in front of the platform The other conferes and delegates were seated In the order of arrival at the meeting.
 President Roosevelt's receptlon bv the Governors and the 500 distinguish- ed attendants on the conference as he entered the east room by the side of Vice President Fairbanks was the first evidence that the assemblags was not to be bOund too closely by dignity.
 It was precisely II o'clock when tha President stepped upon the platform and when the presidential honors hv the marine band had been given the Governors stood up, clapped their hands and then lustily cheered The President took up a small ravA1 and the history making conference wa e on. Members of the Presidents cahjnet and the Justices of the Supreme Court were invited to take hastily arranged seats on the long platform, the back of which furnished the setting for the huge maps, and the arrangement for the colored glass illustrations which were to give point to the various speeches.
 When the President had taken his place on the right of the platform with the Vice. President on his left, the 
 the Senate, arose and leaning with one arm on the back of the Presidents chair. read a portion of the Scriptures descriptive of the promised land and then pronounced a feeling invocation In which he asked Heavens help in tn deliberations to be had.
 Speech of ROOseveIt
 At the conclu sion of the invocation and the preliminary ceremony the Pres ident began his address to the Cover nors. He said:
 "Governors ot the Several States; and
 Gentlemen:
 "I welcome you to this conference at the White House. You have come hither at my request so that We may iofn together to consider the question of conservation and use of the great fundamental sources of wealth of this Nation So vital is this question, that for the first time in our history the chief executive officers of the States oaparately. and of the States together