The Mena weekly star., 1908-05-21
CONFERENCE ENDS
HlSToRY-MAklNG GATHERING AT WHITE HOUSE ENDS WITH
 ENTHUSIASTIC SESSION.
GOVERNORS ID MEET AGAIN NEXT YEAR
Resolutions Adopted Broad in Scope, But Make No Specific Recommenda- tions for Leeislation1President Roosevelt Thanked for Calling Con- ference.

ference.
 Washington, May 16.-The gover- nors' conference at the White House ended shortly before 1 o'clock Friday after an enthusiastic session which re- suited in the adoption of set of res olutions, broad in scope but effecting no permanent form of organization nor making specific recommendations for legislation by either states or nation. Immediately after adjournment the governors met and appointed a com mittee, consisting of Gov. Wilson, Kentucky; Folk, Missouri, and Shel- don, Nebraska, to prepare resolution thanking the president for his initia- tive in calling the conference, and ex- pressing the pleasure of the delegates that it had been of such useful char acter An agreement also was reached at this meeting whereby an active committee of five will make arrange ments for a meeting of governors to be held next year.
 It will then be determined whether there shall be a permanent organiza- ton.
 Gov. Swanson said that among oth- CT matters that would come up at the next conference would be extradition, standardization of laws on marriage and divorce, taxation. police power and other matters.
 Fridays session was replete with feature climaxes. President Roosevelt declared himself emphatically as not caring whether action for the conser vation of resources or the protection of the rights of the people be taken by the states or by the federal govern ment, so long as action resulted
 William J. Bryan delivered an ad dress in keeping with the purposes of the convention, which was most cor dially received Governors of many states expressed their appreciation of the benefits of the conference. The president cordially thanked the gov ernors for their presence and earnest participation.
 When Gov. Conner had finished his address the president carried the con vention entirely off it's feet with an unexpected but brief address in which he placed himself squarely on record as to his belief in regarding the di- vision of power between the states and the nation.
 q want to say one word about the twilight land--the power between the I federal and state governments. My aim in the legislation have advocated l for the l gulation of the great cor porations has been to provide sound, effective. popular sovereignty for each corporation. (Applause.) What I am trying to fine out-not negatively, not by decisions, that a state cannot act or federal decisions that the nation cannot act--is where one or the other can act so that there shall always be some sovereign power on behalf of the people that they may hold over the big corporations, over the big in- dividuals, too, that an accountability regarding their acts shall be had for the benefit of the people (applause and cheers) in matters that relate | of course the state is to be sovereign and it should have the power to act. If the matter is such that the state it. self cannot act then I wish on behalf of the state that the national govern ment should act" (Applause)
 The president then explained in de- tail his position relative to the use of water power and other concessions granted by the national government to corporations and individuals He believed that none of these privileges should be granted without a reserva- tion in the franchise limiting the time it should run and providing that com pensation be paid for the privilege. This, he said, guaranteed to future generations the right to control the natural resources on which they would depend and make 1t possible for them to terminate any private control over such resources which might be grant ed now
 Where this policy can be carried out best by the state it ought to be by the state. Where it can best be car ried out by the nation, then the na- tion should enforce it. My concern is not in the academic discussion Of either the principal of states rights or the principle of national sovereignty. but it is what will best conserve the needs of the people as a whole"
 The presidents remarks were re- ceived with thunderous applause and shouts and it was some time before the conference could proceed with oth- CT addresses
 Decision Against the K. of P.