The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-09

Governors of the several States and Territories, or their designated rep resentatives. are in conference in Wash inRton today with representatives of the Federal Government and of vari- ous associations. for the purpose of deciding upon a practical plan for the conservation of the natural resources of thls great country. That the ruth less destruction of forests. the heed less neglect of waterways. the reck- less disposition of the public lands. and the wild waste of mineral resources ought not to continue Is admitted by every one who Is not financially in- terested In this destruction, neglect and waste.
 The Conservation Conference now in session in Washington will transform the whole conservation agitation from an academic theory to a legislative program, from a sentiment to a live issue. If any. or alL of the conserva- ton plans are adopted and made into laws by Congress, somebody will. suf- fer in the pocket-book. That Is the most poignant form of suffering and there Is no doubt that the sufferers will fight back.
 Before the expiration of the Sixty first Congress, which was elected last month. the conservation issue will be one of the. most important of public questions. Not only is it important of itself. but 1t involves a modification of old tenets of political faith which will bring it into the discussion of almost every other issue. The pro- ponents of the conservation program will demand. perhaps. that the tarim on lumber and lumber products be re- duced so that the persons who are ruthlessly destroying the forests may no longer have the aid of the Gov aa 1 NwVA r.s-Ng Against this the friends of the tartn will oppose the doctrine that there will be no use in conserving natural resources if we kill the industries which must develop them by admitting free the lumber from the paupef for ests of foreign lands.
 The presence of the Governors of the States in the Conference now in ses- sion in Washington Is significant. The custom of holding conventions in washington during the first week of the annual session of Congress has been growing rapidly. The purpose is to bring a strong pressure to bear upon members of Congress from con- stituents who are not always active in party politics. and who. therefore. must take some other means of making their wants known.
 Last May there was a conference Of the Governors of the States al the White House. They met there by in- vitation of the President to discuss the conservation question. At that meeting a declaration of principles was adopted, committing the Cover nors to the conservation propaganda. Under 2 resolution then adopted. Pres, ident Roosevelt appointed Federal Conservation Commission and each Governor was to appoint a State com- mission. The President named the Federal commission In four sections. to deal with waters, forests, lands and minerals. respectively. Twenty-six Governors appointed State commissions. and a score of societies and associa- tlons appointed advisory commissions.
 The Federal commission went act fvely to work, under the direction of the President. and undertook the si- gantic task of making an inventory of the natural resources of the United States It was not like taking census, but rather it was casting up of the things that the United states now possesses and depends upon, which, are in danger of destruction or or pass ing into the possession of those Who would not use them for the general
 This inventory takes up. for the first time in a comprehensive fashion. the question of water powers. While it is Impossibla to give the exact data, it has been developed that practically all of the in1menss water power possi- biIities of the mountain streams in sections owned by the Government and even in the national forests have al- ready passed into the control or own ership of two great corporations. each with many millions of dollars behind 1t. The conservation of water powers. and the employment of water-gener- ated electricity is problem in eco monies which has tremendous signifi- canoe. Before the Government was aware of the value of these rights, they were practically all gone. The Conservation Commission inventory will tell an amazing tale along this line.
 The inventory will show the extent of the standing forests of thts coun-