Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-05-15
GOVERNORS DECLARATION.

people, Dul llpl TO ne WASttu, htltllOT-
ated or needlessly destroyed.
we agree that our country's future
is involved in this that the great ma
tural resources supply the material
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
knowledge brought from sources
which we cannot doubt, that this ma
terial basis is threatened with ex-
haustion. Even as each succeeding
generation in the birth of the nation
has performed its part in promoting
the progress and development of the
republic, so do we in this generation
recognize it as high duty to perform
our part and this duty in large degree
in the adoption of measures for the
conservation of the natural wealth of
the country.
TRANSCENDENT IMPORTANCE.
I'VE declare our firm conviction that
this conservation of our natural re-
sources Is subject of transcendent
Importance, which should engage UNI
remittingly the attention of the ma
ton, the states and the people in
earnest cooperation. These natural
resources include the land on which
we live and which yields our food; the
living waters which fertilize the
soil, supply power, and form great av-
ehues OF commerce.; the forests which
yield the materials for our homes, pre-
vent erosion of the soil, and conserve
the navigation and other uses of our
streams; and the minerals which
form the basis of our Industrial life,
and supply us with heat light and
power.
AS TO EROSION.
We agree that the land should be so
used That erosion and soil wash should
cease, that there should be reclamation
OF arid and seni-arid regions by means
OF irrigation, and OF swamp and over
Moved regions by means of drainage;
that the waters should be so conserved
and used as to promote navigation to
enable the arid regions to- be reclaim
ed by irrigation and TO develop power
in the interests of the people: that the
forests. which regulate our rivers. sup
port our Industries and promote the
productiveness of the soil should he
preserved and perpetuated; that the
minerals found so abundantly beneath
the surface should be used as TO pro-
long their utility; that the beauty
healthfulness and habitability of our
country should be preserved and in
creased; that the sources of national
wealth exists for the benefit of all the
people, and that the monopoly thereof
should not be tolerated
We recommend the wise forethought
of the president in sounding the note
of warning as to the waste and exhalis-
ton of the natural resources of tho
country and signify our appreciation of
his action of calling this conference to
CONSIDER the same, and to seek rene
dies therefor through cooperation OF
the notion and the states
We agree that this co-operation
should finu expression in suitable ac-
ton by the Congress within the linn
us or and co-extensive with, the ma
tonal jurisdiction Of the subject and
complementary thereto, by the legis-
latures of the several states within the
limits of, and co-eXtensive with their
Jurisdiction.
THE STATES.
I'VE declare the conviction that in
the use of the natural resources our in
dependent states are interdependent
and bound together by ties of mutual
benefits responsibilities and duties.
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 cooperation and
action on the lines suggested. And
to this end we advise that from time
to time, as In his judgment he may
seem wise. the president call the COVER
nors OF the states, members of Con-
gress and others into conference.
we agree that further action IL adj
visable 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 COM
mission on the conservation of natural
resources. to cooperate with each 9TH
er and with any similar commission on
behalf of the federal government.
FOREST POLICIES.
I'VE urge the continuation and ex-
tension of forest policies adapted to
secure the outstanding and renewal of
our diminishing timber supply. the pre-
vention of soil erosion, the protection
of headwaters and the maintenance OF
the purity and navigablity of our
streams. We recognize that the private
ownership of forest lands lends respons-
Utilities 10 the interest Of all the peo-
pie, and we favor the enactment OF
laws looking 10 the protection ana
replacement of privately owned forests
we recognize In 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 iITi-
CATION, water Supply. power ANA naYi-
gntion 10 the end that navigablc 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 wise, active and thor
ough Nator way policy, providing for
| the prompt Improvement OF our streams
| and conservation of their watersheds
/ REQUIRED for the uses of commerce ana
| the protection of the interests of our
! people,
WASTE IN COAL MINING,
I'VE recommend the enactment Of
| laws looking TO the preventing of waste
! I'm the mining and extraction of coal
! oil. gas ana other minerals with n
view 10 their wise conservation of the
use bf the people aud to the protec-
ton of human life in the mines,
Let ny conserve the foundations of
our prosperity.