The Detroit times., 1908-05-15
REVOLUTION MAY
GONE If SOIL IS
EXHAUSTED
JAMES J. HILL.
EMPIRE BUILDER" SOUNDS
NOTE OF WARNING AT RE-
SOURCES CONFERENCE - Elk
PEcTs 100000, 900 POPULATION.
SOUNDS

WASHINGTON, May Astounding
the most serious note OF warning
that has yet been heard by the gov
errors who have assembled in Wash
| ington to outline plans to conserve
| tse natural resources OF the country
James ]. Hill. builder OF railroads
and promoter OF American trade with
foreign governments, declared today
! that II would not be strange II. after
soil. forests and mineral resources
of the country had been wasted and
destroyed unnecessarily, the people
rose in their might and tore down
the pillars of their national temple.
| Although he declined TO make such
a gloomy view as that expressed In
letter written by Lord Macauley to
an American friend SO years ago. Mr.
| Hill, nevertheless, read that portion
of the letter in which II was pointed
out that hunger had become general
among the working people and agita
tors had begun their work. II said
"Either some Caesar, or Napoleon
will seize the relns Of government
with strong hand, or your republic
will be as fearully pIundered and
laid waste by barbarians In the
twentieth century as the Roman en-
pre In the fifth"
The plea made by Mr.. Hill for care
full and scientific conservation OF all
the natural resources OF the country
was, without exception, the most eff
fective that has yet been heard by
the governors and delegates and be
cause of his wide experience in the
railroad business as well as In the
upbuilding OF the west. his remarks
were given close attention.
James j. Hills subject was 1.-The
Natural Wealth OF the Land and It's
Conservation" He said In part:
BY the fixed rate OF increase In the
past. we must count upon a popula-
| ton OF over 100000. 900 in the United
States In the year 1850.
We are approaching the point, where
all our wheat product will be needed
for our own uses. and We shall cease q
be an exporter OF grain. There Is still
some room In Canada. but IL Will soon
porary. Our own people, whose min
eral resources Will be by that time
greatly diminished. must find them
selves thrown back upon the SOIL Tor
| a living II continued abuse OF land
should mark the next so years as II
has the last. what must be our out
look7
First Condition of Prosperity.
We should not be here today. were
II not that the principle OF conserva-
tion OF natural resources as the fore.
most and Controlling policy OF the
United StatesNhenc sforth 10 coming &c
be seen by many. and must be heartily
| accepted By ALL as the first condition
not only OF continued material pros.
perfty but also OF the perpetuation OF
\ free Institutions and a government By
/ the people. The work now being done
/ by the department OF agriculture and
the agricultural colleges OF the var
ious states furnishes a broad and In.
! telligent foundation upon which Il
| build up q new era OF natural beins
and prosperity. Ii calls for wise
I generous and continuing policy on the
part OF both federal and state govern
/ ments.
! III this patriotic gospel IL TO make
Roadway. IL must be by just such or.
! ganized missionary work as is today
4 begun. II cannot go on. and conquer
4 II Imposed from without II must come
\ to represent the fixed idea OF the peo.
piles mind, their determination and
Their hope. IL cannot be incorporated
| in oui practical life by the dictum oil
| any Individual or any officer OF natior
or state In his official capacity. II
i needs the cooperation OF all influences
the help OF every voice, the commenda.
tion of nation and state that has beer