The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-15
to indicate that future conferences

to indicate that future conferences
should be held.
"The governor is from Mississippi"
responded Governor Falk, land knows
of southern hospitality. Does he think
| it proper for a guest to Indicate to
his host that he receive another in
vitation for a visit?" Oaughter).
II can not express my joy at my
coming" retorted Governor Noel Who
was applauded vociferously and The
| incident was greatly amusing to the
president.
At this point Governor Glenn acting
as he said, on the suggestion of the
governor of Kentucky, whom he had
found to be a very wise man, wanted
to withdraw his motion amending the
declaration. He added:
Probably we will never have lit
tie man for president" This created
delight among the governors.
President Roosevelt before putting
the declaration to vote said he
thought that any president needed
only the information that conference
of governors would be agreeable to the
governors as an inspiration to call
one. The report was then adopted, no
dissenting voices being heard. The
| full text of this declaration of princi-
| pies is as follows:
Declaration of Principles.
I'VE, the governors of the states and
territories of the United States of
America, in conference assembled, do
hereby declare the conviction that the
great prosperity of our country rests
upon the abundant resources OF the
| land chosen by our forefathers for their
homes and where they laid the founda-
| ton of this great nation.
I'VE look upon these resources as
heritage to be made use of in establish
| ing and promoting the comfort, pros
peritv and happiness of the American
people. but not to be wasted, deter
| iorated or needlessly destroyed.
1--WE agree that our country'S future
| is involved in this; that the great ma
tural resources supply the materlal
basis upon which our civilization must
continue to depend and upon which the
perpetuity of the nation itself rests.
I'VE agree, in the light OF facts
brought to our knowledge and from IN
formation brought from sources which
we can not doubt, that this material
basis is threatened with exhaustion
Even as each succeeding generation
from the birth of the nation mas per
formed its part in promotlng the p[os.
ress and development of the repupnc
so do we in this generation recognize
II as a high duty to perform our part
and this duty in large degree Ies.s III
the adoption Of measures 1or tne coh-
seryation of the natural wealth of the
country. .,+
eve declare our firm conviction that
this conservation of our natural re-
sources is a subject OF transcehoeli'
Importance which should engage unre-
mittingly the attention of the natlon'
the states and the people IN earnest Co
oneration. These natural resources IN
ciuda the land on which we live ana
which Yields our food; the living wa
tiers which fertilize the SOIL, supplS
power and form great avenues OF Gull
merce; the forests which ylelo Tue oninr, nc
terials for our homes, prevent erosion
of the soil and conserve the naVlSatloIl
and other uses of our streams; ana the
minerals which form the basis OF our
Industrial life. and supply us with heat'
light and power.
used that erosion and soil wash should
cease: that there should be reclamation
of arid and semi-arid regions by means
of irrigation, and of swamp ana over
flowed regions by means OF drainage;
that the waters should be conserVeo
and used so as to promote nav1gatlon'
to enable the arid regions to be re-
claimed by irrigation and to develop
mower in the interests of the people,
that the forests which regulate our riV-
ers. support our industries and pro-
mote the fertility and productlveness
of the soil, should be preserved ana
perpetuated; that the minerals found
so abundantly beneath the surface
should be used so as to prolong thelf
utility: that the beauty, healtn1ulneSs
and habitability of our country snouiu
benefit of all the people and that the
sources of natural wealth exist for the
benefit of all the people and that the
rnonopolv thereof should not be. toll
Grated.
Commend the President.
"We commend the wise forethought
of the president in sounding the note
warning as to the waste and exhaus-
ton of the natural resources OF the
country and signify our appreciation
of his action of calling this conference
to consider the same, and to seek
remedies therefor through co-opera-
ton of the nation and the states.
1--WE agree that this cooperation
should find expression in suitable ac-
ton by the congress within the limits
Of, and co-extensive with, the ma
tional jurisdiction of the subject and
complime entary thereto by the legisla-
lures of the several states within the
limits of, and co-extensive with, their
jurisdiction.
"We declare the conviction that in
the use of the natural resources our
independent states are interdependent
and bound together by ties of mutual
benefits. responsibilities and duties.
1--WE agree in the wisdom of future
conferences between the president,
members of congress and the COVER
nors of the states, regarding the con-
servation Of our natural resources
with the view of continued operation
and action on the lines suggested. And
to this end we advise that from time
to time, as in his judgment may seem
wise, the president call the govern ors
of the states, members of congress
and others into conference.
I'VE agree that further action is
advisable to ascertain the present con-
dition of our natural resources and to
promote the conservation of the
same and to that end we recommend
| the appointment by each state of a
commission on the conservation of
| natural resources, to cooperate with
| one another and with any similar
commission on behalf of the federal
government.
eve urge the continuation and ex-
| tension of forest policies adapted to