Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-21
LESSONS FOR VERMONT.

House conference, already considered
in these columns, have interest for all
classes OF readers throughout the ma
ton the gathering would have little
material value for the people of Yer
mont, il 1t had no message for them
as individuals engaged in tilllng the
soil, in Harvesting the streams for the
development Of power, in restoring our
forest growth, in promoting the i'm
provement of water transportation and
otherwise developing the resources of
the Green Mountain state. That the
conference had such message for
Vermont as well as for other States is
evidence OF the many sided character
Of that historic gathering.
The most far-reachtng fact emphas-
lied in connection with the considcra-
ton Of the conservation Of our natural
resources is that we as a people are
wasting them wantonly in most in
stances, and in utter disregard of the
ton can live unto itself alone. 1t Is a
law Of human life that each generation
should take thought OF those immedi-
ately following: and il this law, which
lies at the very basis Of race perpetu
alton as we'll as Of each individual
home, were carefully observed. we
should have no such problems as were
considered SO important by President
Roosevelt as to Justify the calling Of
the White House conference
Strangely enough, while many ex-
perts in different fields of industry
participated in the conference, it re-
manned for Mr.. James j. Hill of the
Great Northern railway to succinctly
sum up the situation regarding the
waste OF the nations resources as we'll
| as to point out the remedies to be en-
ployed. Until Mr. Hill spoke, many Of
the papers read had emphasized the
startling conditions attending the
| waste of our natural resources until
there appeared to be danger that the
| conference would give way entirely to
| pessimism. Mr.. Hill made a compre
hensive summary Of the way in which
tho nations resources were being de
pleted. and then made the most help
! full suggestions in the direction OF op-
| timism by showing that it was posi-
BILE for US to remedy the whole situa-
| ton.
Mr.. Hin, whose benevolent face
| hardly suggests the hard taskmaster
usually associated in the popular mind
| with the builders of a great railroad
| system, laid broad foundation for
what he had to say later on by show
ing that from the sea, the mine, the
forest and the Soil must be gathered
everything material that can sustain the
life of man. We are wasting many OF
our resources in a manner well-nign
criminal. The mineral wealth stored
| in the earth can be used only once
|
er be restored
| Vermont has neither coal nor iron
and the marble and granite deposits
if ever exhausted, can give place tc
artificial stone of different kinds, S,
that our people have little need &c
worry in that direction. What Presi-
dent Hin had to say about soil ex-
haustion and waste of timber Interests
and kindred subjects, however. has &
mont as well as in practically every
other State.
Mr.. Hill dwelt longest and most i'm
prcssively upon the passing of the
farm, upon the comparatively small
amount of public lands left. and upor
the deterioration, through ignorance
of proper farming. OF the cultivated
lands of every section. The soil hat
been robbed by tho sweeping ava,
into streams OF tho fertile surface
never to be restored. and the grount
had been exhausted by single crop ag'
riculture and lack of fertilization
which was likened to the condition o
a bank whose depositors are steadil,
drawing out more money than the!
put In. Every year the farms wer'
growing less productive, and fact
were brought to show this statemen
true.
Were any statesman" said he. 1T
show us how to add $1,000, 900, 900 an
nually to our foreign trade, 1t woul,
be the sensation OF the hour. The wa,
TO do this In agriculture IL open. Gu