Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-09
Immediate Improvement
is Advocated. by the
President.
TALKS CONSERVATION
Says Report Secured Without
Funds is the Best Ever
Prepared.

Washington, Dec. 9.-An issue of
government bonds for internal water.
ways and if necessary to support con.
servation of the cOuntry's national re-
sources was publicly advocated yester.
day by President Roosevelt and tacit-
ly assented to by President-elect Taft
The president-elect presided at the
joint meeting yesterday afternoon un-
der national conservation commission
auspices at the Belasco theater in this
city at which President Roosevelt
made the principal address.
Governor Chamberlain of Oregon
voiced what seemed the advanced
ground of the democratic party in ad-
vocacy of federal jurisdiction, and an
audience which filled the theater and
which included Andrew Carnegie, John
Mitchell, senator's. congressman, and
the governors of several states, ap-
plauded every sentiment expressed
Address of the President.
President Roosevelt declared no
service to the nation in time of peace
the national conservation commission,
charged with protecting the country's
natural resources of forest, field and
mine.
at is the largest national task of
today" said the speaker in reviewing
the work begun by the governors last
May at their White house meeting.
Their declaration at that time, the
speaker said, should hang on the wall
| in every school,
The president thea described the or
ganization of the national conservation
commission, whose chief duty was te
prepare an inventory of the natural re
lsources of our country" This inven
ltory, or report, it was stated, would
be the basis of information to congress:
from the president.
Depends on Public Spirit.
The commission was stated to con
sist of senator's, representatives, mem
bers of executive departments an,
public spirited private individuals ia
miliar with particular resources. 81
10 "loily
president Roosevelt, "and it has, there
fore, depended altogether on the pub
ilic spirit of its members and the &C
Ioperation of the executive depart
ments at Washington and in the sey
eral states. It's results will rank a
by far the most useful statement O
the national resources ever prepare
in any country"
, Rivers and Harbors Congress.
The president made special acknow
! concerned with national resource.
'the great engineering societies." tn
lsouthern commercial congress, an
Iadded:
"a special word is due the nation;
5 rivers and harbors congress. 1t is tn
one organization that is advocating
1 waterway policy and not waterwa
I lproject, and is national in it's scop
: It's work, being strictly national an
v in no sense sectional, merits an
j. should receive the support of our ci
S liens"
|
ways had been neglected more tina
any other natural resource. On tn
L score he said:
"Our waterways are deserted. TT
+ people are ready for change. l.
us have it, and at once If we ca
u pay the cost from current revenue
let us do so. If not, let us issue bon,
BY either method, let us have the W
terways, and that quickly. The pl;
and the work can and should proce,
J together. While the work we are su
of is being done, the plan for the re
al can be prepared
h Meets with Governors.
Washington, d. c., Dec. st
a>l national conservation commission
s. day began conference with the &C
Of ernors of the different states, with t
IN probable result that some concre
C. plan will be mapped out for the &C
ne servation of the nations natural
3 sources. More than thirty states we
represented.
ef The conference was called to ord
er by Chief Forester Clifford Pinchot
W. the department of agriculture. The
d. port of the commission was present
Il by former Governor Blanchard of L.
Or. isiana. 1t gives in general way
In In facts deduced and conclusions rea
he ed in all branches of the commissio
of extended inquiry. Senator Flint
TT California presented the report of
90 mineral section of the commission.