The San Francisco call., 1908-05-14
time FOR CHANGE
ROOSEVELT SAYS
President Warns Governors OF
Fearful Destruction OF
Natural Resources
Worse Than Anarchists" Says
Expert of Our Amazing
Waste OF Coal
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

WASHINGTON, May 13.-With viriI-
ity and breeziness that paralyzed the
power of resistance President Roose-
welt took complete control of the con-
ference of governors today. There was
not struggle until 1t was too late.
He put the governors In good humor,
first by shaking the big stick at con-
gress. Most of them had read of this
performance, but few had seen 1t. They
enjoyed it very much.
While they were yet laughing the
president walked to the front of the
platform and said. in a conversational
tone: II would suggest that you name
committee on resolutions to put IN
shape the conclusions of your delibera-
tions.' This was received with mods
and murmurs of approval
The president glanced at slip OF
paper that he held. looked around the
room and took a step forward. And
would suggest the following as mem
bers of that committee. They are
names that have been suggested to
me" Roosevelt then read the list.
DOMINANT FIGURE Is ROOSEVELT
There was deep silence. 1t had ex-
tended to the straining point, when
Governor Johnson of Minnesota arose
and moved that governors named by
the president be made committee on
resolutions. This being seconded the
president put the motion. There were
few ayes, but no noes, and the motion
was declared carried
This insures Roosevelt's domination
of the conference. 1t matters not what
may be said in the line OF pure talk,
the committee on resolutions is the
keystone, and the president named 1t
all by himself. This insures favorable
action in the Roosevelt policy concern
inc hi IL -kaf a ri
preservation of forest reserves.
Two ideas destined to mark material
progress in Americas future resulted
from the first of the three days confer
ence at the White House today, In
which President Roosevelt, the gov
ernors of "A states, cabinet officers,
supreme court judges, senator's, repre-
sentatives and experts are participat-
ing in efforts to reach conclusions on
the best methods of conserving the nat
ural resources of the United States.
The first is that a permanent organ
ization by the states and the nation Is
necessary and probably will result from
the present conference to accomplish
the end sought.
The second-suggeste by Secretary
Roots that there is no limitation by
the constitution TO the agreements
which may be made between the states,
The two ideas, fully developed, it is
predicted, would result In the conserva-
tion of the energies and resources of
the nation through uniform and uncon-
fiicting laws both national and state
The idea that the conference should
be perpetuated developed in the form
of resolutions offered for later consid-
GRAFTON by Governor Glenn OF North
Carolina and Governor Folk OF Mis-
~ %fy,oa -
committee.
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 geolo-
gist of West Virginia, and perhaps the
Leading expert on coal in the United
States.
ORIGIN OF CONFERENCE
The special invited guests included
three democratic presidential candi-
dates-William. Jennings Bryan, Judge
George Gray Of Delaware and Governor
John A. Johnson of Minnesota. The
subjects to be considered include the
use and conservation OF mineral re-
sources, resources of the land and re-
sources OF the waters.
The conference is the outgrowth of
the recommendation OF the interna-
tional waterways commission to the
president.
The morning session was opened by
the president with an address on Con
servation as a National Duty" The
program for the day included ad-
dresses by Andrew Carnegie. on Ores
and Related Minerals and by Dr.
White. Mineral Fuels"
Former President John Mitchell of
the united mine workers OF America
led the general discussion on coal min
ing.
President Roosevelt opened the aft
ernoons session. He called Governor
Noel OF Mississippi to the chair to pre-
side. The president expressed the be-
lief that the convention would be glad
to hear Mr.. Bryan. He VIII speak Fri
day.
The president also requested Gov
ernor johnson of Minnesota to preside
at the meeting tomorrow, and he ac-
.cepted. Both suggestions were
greeted with tremendous applause.
At the afternoon session the real
work of the conference began and the
session, which opened at 2:45 and last
ed until sos o'clock, proceeded at a
rate that broke all speed regulations
The president finds it impossible to. de-
vote his entire time to the conference
meetings. He will, as he did today,
call to order each session and then des-
| ignate governor to preside.
ROOsEyELTs STRIKING WORDS
The first striking paragraph in the
address of President Roosevelt was
| this:
This conference on the conservation
| or national resources is IN effect a
meeting Of the representatives of all
the people Of the United States called
10 consider the weightiest problem