The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-16
Time Will Reveal the Extent Ofthe Work Accomplished
 At Washington
GOVERNOR COMER TALKS
 WATERWAYS QUESTION
Addresses Are Made By w. J. Bryan and Governors of Number of States--Declaration of
 Principles.

Washington, May 15.-The first con ference of the governors of the states Of the American union ended today. Like many of the important events of history time is needed to reveal the epoch which the President and the governors believe has been made. The accomplishments of the conference which has been in ses- sion at the White House for three days, cannot be set forth with mathematical precision. That it's immediate results are more than ample is the expression of President Roosevelt who brought it about and of the governors who participated.
 The printed record of the conference, which will later be available to every American home, will be a compilation of facts, startling in their meaning, con vincng in their universal conclusion that the states must act, and that the states and the nation must cooperate to the end to the whole people of the nation may accrue the lasting benefit of its nat uraA resources Besides the compilation of facts by the experts and the freely expressed opinion of the governors, the conference leaves as it's permanent record a thousand words of declaration" Not declaration of independence" but a declaration of "co-operation."
 Common Purpose.
 Perhaps greater in importance than all else was the determination of the gov ernors of the states to perfect a per moment organization, whereby a hereto tore unknown intimacy may be developed among the executives of the 46 sovereign states. made strong by a common pur- pose and made potent by pronounce ments which may not lightly be disre- garded.
 Of the last day the story is one of many features. The set programme was swept aside. The President presided throughout He interiected remarks and speeches. He brought to the platform men who made plain the prevailing feel ing that thought and action must be exercised for the future. The prepared papers were not presented, but they will be printed in the permannt records. Their place was taken first by the "declara- tion,' which was adopted after discus sion, which brought to light no serious objection to it's "affirmations."
 Then William J. Bryan was presented by the President. He touched the same chords which had produced the vibra- tion of harmony and cooperation.
 Corners Talk.
 At the conclusion of MT Bryan's ad- dress the President opened the meeting 10 governors who had not had opportuni- ty to speak. In response to this invita- tion, Governor Conner of Alabama took the platform and while heartily indors- ing the objects of the conference he re- marked, turning to the President:
 "We are little bit slxittsh MT Pres ident, about turning over our railroads to the President. We do not 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 struck the disabilities of the conference and gen. eral laugh followed. Governor Conner con tinued with serious discussion on wheth- CT the state nation should con- trol the waterways He said that his state was anxious to develop the water power of the streams and also make them navigable for commerce. He said that the states were in doubt as to what the nations intentions were in this respect. His state wanted to know whether in building locks for the navigation of the rivers, the nation would not permit these locks to be constructed so as to
 
 said, was highly important in connec- ton with the Muscle Shoals project.
 The Governors discussion brought many state executives to the platform, but the product was altogether that of harmony, and the sentiments expressed were ap- plauded alike by all.
 Criticism Answered.
 President Roosevelt, himself, answering the one criticism-that of Governor Folk of Missouri-to the declaration, aroused the conference to it's warmest demonstra- ton of approval. He swept aside the academic question:" of where the line of authority should be drawn between the states and the nation. He wanted &C., tion, and what he said received indorse- ment at each period.
 The declaration upon which the Presi- dents remarks were predicated, was pre- scented to the assemblage by Governor Blanchard of Louisiana at the opening of the session shortly after 10 o'clock After reading it, MT. Blanchard stated that it proceeded upon broad lines, and pur- posely avoided making specific indorse- ments of desired projects or legislation. It was upon the suggestion of Gov ernor Glenn of North Carolina that fu- ture conferences should depend upon the expressed desire of two-thirds of the governors that Governor Folk made the criticism which called for the President remarks quoted above.
 The desire of Mrs Roosevelt to enter- tain the governors was not thwarted even by rain, which fell throughout the day garden party had been planned by her to be held in the south grounds of the White House during the late aft ernoon. The garden party was brought inside the White House and lost none of its zest by the transformation.
 More than 15OO guests were present.