The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-14
First Day of Conference of Governors At Washington
 Is Great Success
STATE AND NATION MAY
 COOPERATE IN THE WORK
Permanent Organization and the Idea That States and Nation By Agree
 nent May Take Most Any
 Advanced Step Prevails.

Washington, May 1S.-Two ideas des- tined to mark material progress in Amer ica's future resulted from the first of the three days conference at the White House. in which President Roosevelt. the governors of A states cabinet officers, supreme court judges. senators, represen- tatives and experts are participating. in efforts to reach conclusions on the best methods of conserving the natural re- sources of the United States.
 The first is that a permanent organiza- tion between the states and the nation ia necessary and will likely result from the present conference to accomplish the end sought. The second. suggested by Sec retary Root, is that there is no limitation by the constitution to the agreements which may be made between the states, subject to the approval of Congress. The two ideas fully developed it is predicted, would result in the conservation of the energies and resources of the nation through uniform and unconf1icting laws, both national and state.
 The idea that the conference should be perpetuated developed in the form of res olutions offered for later consideration by Governor Glenn of North Carolina and Governor Folk of Missouri. There were many others, but a parliamentary move to save time sent them to a committee for consideration.
 Many Developments.
 The day was crowded with interesting and important developments and fraught with history making possibilities.
 With a flourish of trumpets the Presi- dent and vice president entered at Il o'clock and the conference. the first of 41.o 4t,. gun
 The setting for the scene was mag nifeent and impressive The assemblage faced the east wall which was made re- splendent by a platform done in green plush, backed by two large framed maps of the United States, showing in colors it's various resources in the center of which was a device for tho production of colored glass illustrations of the speeches with glaring production of forest fire in view. Seats of honor directly in front of these maps were occupied by mem bers of the Presidents cabinet and jus tices of the supreme court. The Pres- dent and vice president occupied green plush chairs on either side of the center.
 President Received.
 The reception of the President was the first climax of the day. He entered the cast room at II o'clock the Marine band rendered the presidential honors. The governors arose; they clapped their hands, they shouted. The demonstration became tumultuous. Then followed d hush. The venerable Dr. Edward Ev- erett Hale, chaplain of the Senate, read from the scriptures the description of the fertility of the land promised the chill dren of Israel and followed it with sup plieation for guidance in the present un- dertaking.
 President Roosevelt begun his explana- ton of the reason for the conference. Ills 50-minute speech was many times inter- rupted by applause, and when he finaily reached his point of praise to the inland waterways commission. and declared with characteristic vigor that should Congress neglect to perpetuate the com- mission q will do it myself" he cap tured'' the assemblage. The governors stood up and shouted: senators and con- gressmen added laughter to their ap- plause and general assent given the sentiment.
 The Presidents speech ended the morn ing session. He with the vice president shook hands with each member of the as- semblage. The governors and delegates were photographed with the President on the portco of the White House. The picture will show also William J. Bryan. Andrew Carnegie, J. J. Hill and Gustav Schwab specially invited participants The President met in the blue drawing room his dinner guests of the night be- fore including the governors and others.
 Real Work Begins.
 It was at the afternoon session that the real work of the conference began, and this session which opened at 2:45, lasted until 5:05 o'clock. The President finds it impossible to devote his entire time to the conference meetings. He will call to order each session. and then designate governor to preside This honor fell to- day on Governor Noel of Mississippi. with the intimation from the President that tomorrow he should call on Governor Johnson of Minnesota. Then after this announcement the President suddenly called upon MT. Bryan to interrupt the programme and address the meeting. Mir Bryan acknowledged the enthusiasm his name aroused by lifting his hands, and then indicated a desire to speak Friday
 It was from the utterance of MT. Car negie and those who followed him that the gravity of the problems to be con- sldered were given weight.
 The conference will continue through Friday.
 The men who know how the natural re- sources 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 na- tion's prodigalty in the exploitation of it's national resources.
 Delegates Arrive Early.
 Long before the hour when the confer ence was called to order in the famous East room of the White House by Presi- dent Roosevelt those who took part in the great gathering began to arrive. The President received the governors. who i'm mediately thereafter assembled in tho East room The conference was opened by the President with an address on "Conservation as a National Duty.' The programme for the day included addresses by Andrew Carnegie on Ores and Related Minerals and by Dr. l. C. White pro- fessr of geology of the University of West Virginia and state geoogist of the state. on Mineral Fuel" Former President John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers of America lead the general discussion on coal mines and mining.
 The detailed arrangements fo the con ference accorded with the importance of