The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-05-16

promote the conservation of the same.
And TO that end we recommend the ap-
pOintment by each state of a commits
sion on the conservation of natural re-
sources, to cooperate with each other
and with any similar commission on
behalf of the federal government.
I'VE urge the continuation and eX-
tension of forest policies adapted TO
secure the outstanding and renewal of
our diminishing timber supply, the
prevention of soil erosion. the protec-
ton of headwateTs and the mainte-
nance of the purity and navigability
of our streams. We recognize that the
private ownership of forest lands
lends responsibilities TO the interest of
all the people, and we favor the enact
ment of laws looking to the protection
and replacement of privately owned
forests.
Control of the Water.
We recognize i'm our waters a most
valuable asset of the people of the
United States. and we recommend the
enactment of laws looking to the con-
servation of water resources for irri-
cation water supply, power and navi-
cation. to the end that naYigable and
source streams may be brought under
complete control and fully utilized for
every purpose. We especially urge on
the federal congress the immediate
adoption of a wise. active and thor
ough waterway policy, providing for
the prompt improvement of our
streams ana the conservation of their
watersheds required for the uses of
commerce and the protection of the in
terests of our people.
I'VE recommend the enactment of laws
looking 20 the preventing of waste in
mil nd Of oil
gas and other minerals, with a view to
their wise conservation of the use of the
PEOPLE and 10 the protection of human
HE in the mines.
Let us conserve the foundations OF
our prosperity"
Address of MIR. Bryan.
After the platform had been adopted
the president introduced Mr.. Bryan who
began a speech
Mr.. Bryan acknowledged his obligations
to the president for the opportunity of
participating in an historic event of this
magnitude The discussion had already,
he said, helped define the proper sphere
of national and state control. He said
he was Jealous of any encrOachment upon
the rights OF the state, but ii was entire
ly consistent with his theory to believe
that il was just as imperative that the
general government should discharge the
duties delegated to it as il was that the
states should exercise the powers re-
served to them.
There is no twilight zone between the
nation and the states" continued Mr..
Bryan. in which exploiting interests can
take refuge from both, and my observa-
ton is that mOst-not all, but mOst-of
the contentious over the line between ma
ton and state are raceable TO preda-
tory corporations which are trying to
shield themselves from deserved punish
ment or endeavoring to prevent needed
restraining legislation"
Tariff a Cause of Waste.
Mr.. Bryan said we should not only pre-
serve the nations resources for future
generations, but should see to II that
these were not mOnOpoliZed by few
of the people and future generations
should not be fettered with perpetual
franchises.
Coal iron and timber on the free list
would tend to reduce the waste and ex-
ploitatiOn of our own measures. Mr.. Bry-
an said Mr. Hill had rendered real seTV-
ice in pointing out the impairment of
the crop value of our soil, which should
lead TO a still further enlargement of the
work of the department Of agriculture.
Irrigation was thoroughly justified, Mr..
Bryan continued, by the transformation
of a desert into field and garden. and
state and nation could there find legit-
innate field for activity.
Drainage and Forestry.
Drainage of the swamps. too, was legit-
innate. and no subject more fully jusu-
ned the dlleHliou given bA the tphltf
ence than that of forestry. The field was
so large. ne said, and the need for ac-
ton so urgent, that both state and ma
ton could exercise themselves TO the full
without doing too much.
Mr.. Bryan said the development of wa
ter TRANSFORMATION was essentially "A ma
tfonaI project, yet the states might do a
certain amount Of developing if they were
permitted to avail themselves of the wa
ter power that could be realized. In
conclusion. he declared that money spent
those who are to come after US. and this
gathering would be remembered by fu-
ture generations, because they. as we'll
as ourselves, would be the recipients of
the benefits to follow.
Remarks by Governor Conner.
Governor Conner of Alabama took the
platform, and while heartily endorsing
the objects of the conference he re-
marked turning to the president;
I'VE are a little bit skittish. MI Presl-
dent about turning over our railroads 10
the president. We don't quite go with
you there-but the waterways
This seeming desire of Governor Conner
to get away quickly from his suggestion
of opposition to the president caused
general laughter Governor Conner SAID
that his state was anxious 10 develop
the water power of the streams and also
make them navigabie. Ills STATE wanted
to know whether in building locks the ma
ton would not permit them to be con-
strueted so as to develop water power.
Response of the President.
When Governor Conner had finished. the
president carried the convention entire
Iy off its feet with an unexpected but