The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-05-01
GOVERNORS CONVENTION.

Come, let us reason together" So said the
forceful President of the United States when he
invited all the Governors of those states to gather
in Washington, D. c., May 1915. This unique
meeting is called by unique man for unique
purpose. Discussion of the preservation of Our
National Resources is made the occasion of this
important gathering. 1t marks the passing of the
old order of things incidental to the occupation
and settlement of the various sections of our coun
try. 1t marks the progress of development and
INTERPRETATION of its several parts and interests 1t
marks the fact that new conditions and new prob
lens confront people that in the dawning of the
twentieth century made its debut as a world
power, and is about passing the mark of 100000
900 in population.
In the East Room of the Executive Mansion
will be gathered the most notable assemblage or
men in the public eye that has met in the
history of the United States. The Governors of
all the states have sgnifed their intention of be-
ing present at this conference, and each will bring
with him three men, carefully chosen from among
the learned of his state, to act advisers in the
convention. Besides the Governors and their ad
visers, the President has invited five special
guests, chosen for their superatve fitness, to act
advisers at large" to the conference. The five
special guests will be Grover Cleveland, William
j. Bryan James ]. HILL Andrew Carnegie and
John Mitchell.
Looking at this meeting purely from it's his
torical side, it may properly be said that never
before in the country history have the Governors
of all the states assembled in convention for any
purpose whatever. Considered solely as an epoch
rank with any assemblage of public men ever held
in the civilized world, for at this meeting the
entire government of the United States in the
persons of that governments several heads, will
be assembled at one time.
America has been most magnhcently endowed
by nature with great resources, forests, streams,
minerals and rich SOIL and upon these have been
built the greatest prosperity of the greatest nation
which the world has SEEM but our waste OF
these has been great that the near exhaustion
of some of these resources it is time to
take accounting and determine upon measures
for the conservation of what remains.
The range of subjects to be discussed will cover
the national conservation and preservation OF eX-
sting forests the reforeStaiOn of lands at present
producing nothing, storage of surplus waters, in
land waterways, irrigation, conservation OF coal,
iron etc.. and the prevention of waste in mining,
relations of waterways to transportation and the
relation of railways to water lines OF carriage pre-
vention of floods and their consequent destruction
of life and property care of the range lands OF the
West, their re-grassng and proper utilization, and
may easily include other great economic questions.
The wide range of observation obtained by Pres
ident Roosevelt has been quickened by his prac'
tcal experience in productive industry, and he
fully realizes the Importance of treasuring our
natural resources to provide homes and occupation
for future generations in this land of the free
and the home of the brave" Undoubtedly this
great meeting, inspired by his keen vision will be
the precursor of other important interstate gather
ings to promote the public welfare.