Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-05-22
PASSED BY GOVERNORS OF THE
STATES AT THE WHITE
HOUSE CONFERENCE.
N UST STOP WASTE.
RECOMMEND ACTION TO PRO.
TEcT OUR coUNTRY's SOIL.
WATERS, FORESTS AND
MINERALS.

Washington.-At the governors
conference at the White House FRI
day Governor Blanchard OF Louisiana.
chairman of the committee on reso-
lutions, presented to the conference
the report OF the committee. as fol-
lows:
I'VE, the governors of the states
and territories OF the United States.
In conference assembled. do hereby de-
clare 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 foun'
dation OF this great nation.
Even as each succeeding genera
tion from the birth Of the nation has
performed its part In promoting the
progress and development OF the re-
public, SO do We In this generation
recognize II as high duty TO perform
our part Of this duty In large degree
In the adoption Of measures for the
conservation OF the natural wealth OF
| the country.
These natural resources include
the land on which we live and which
yields our food: the living waters
which fertiliye the soil. supply power.
and form great avenues OF commerce.
the forests. which yield the materials
for our homes. prevent erosion OF the
soil. and conserve the navigation and
other uses Of our streams; and the
minerals, which form the basis OF our
Industrial iife and supply us with heat.
light and power.
We agree that the land should be
80 used that erosion and soil wash
should cease. that there should be re-
clama,ion OF arid and semi'arid re.
Hions by means Of irrigation. and Of
swamp and ovcr.nowcd regions by
means Of drainage: that tho waters
should be no conserved and used ns
to promote navigation To enable the
arid regions to bc reclaimed by irriSn.
tion and to develop power In the Inter
csts. Of tho people: that the forests.
which regulate our rivers. support our
Industries pnd promote the produc'
tivcncss OF. the soil. should bc pre-
served and pcrpctnaicd: that the min
erals found 80 nbundanly beneath the
surface should be no used m TO pro-
long their utility: that tho beauty.
hcai,hfulncsa and habliabiiiiy Of our
country should bc preserved aud In.
creased: that the sources Of national
wealth exist for tho benefit Of all the
people and that the monopoly thereon
should not be tolerated.
"Wc comm, nd the wise forcfhouEht
Of the Prcs'dcn, In sounding tho note
Of warnin. as to the waste and cx.
hut,stiou Of the natural resources OF
tho country and signify our apprccia'
ton OF his .ction Of callin. this con
ference to consider tho sane. and To
seek remedies therefor through coop
Grafton Of the nation and the states.
Eve agree that this cooperation
should mud expression In suitable nc.
tiop by the Congress within tho limits
os. and co.ca,cnsivc with. tho na.
tionai Jurisdiction Of the subject and
complementary thereto. by tho lcsis-
iaturcs Of tho several states within
tho limits cf. and co.cxtcnsivc with
their Jurisdiction.
"wc agree In tho wisdom Of future
conferences between the President.
members Of Congress and tho Cover
nors Of the states regarding the con.
scrvatism of our natural resources
with the Wow Of continued operation
and action IN the lines suggested. AID
TO this end VIC advise that from time
TO time, az in his Judgment may seem
wise. the President call the governors
Of tho states. members Of Congress
and others into conference.
"wc agree that further action is ad'
Visablc to ascertain the present con.
iltiou Of our natural resources and to
promote tho conservation Of the same.
And to that end We recommend the ap.
pointmcnt by each state Of n commits.
sion on the conservation OF natural
resources. TO cooperate with each
other and with any similar commits
sion on behalf Of the federal govern.
mcnt.
"wc urge the continuation and CT.
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 head.wa;ers and the maintenance OF
the purity and navigability OF our
streams. We recognize that the pri'
vatc ownership Of forcs, lands lends
responsibilities to the interest OF all
the people, md We favor the enact
ment Of laws looking TO the protection
and 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.
scrvation of water resources for irri'
cation. water supply. power and navi.
cation. to 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 tho immediate adoption of a
wise, active and thorough waterway
policy, providing for the prompt i'm.
provement of our streams and cor
servation Of their watersheds required
for the uses of commerce and the pro-
lection of the interests of our people.
I'VE recommend the enactment OF
laws looking to the prevention OF
waste in the mining and extraction OF
coal. oil. gas and other minerals. with
a view to their wise conservation to
the use of the people and to the pro.
f,,tt.. ~ tut,. n life a, fb, fuiups