Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-15
SOIL WASTE IS
NATIONS DANGER
WARNING is SOUNDED AT THE
CONFERENCE
j. j. HILL TALKS OF RESOURCES
OF AMERICA
Governors viii Devote Entire Day TO
Taking Action on the Various
Suggestions That Have
Been Made
b. Associated Press.

b Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, May 14-Startling
was the warning sounded today at the
conference of governors at the White
House of the danger the nation con-
ton. The governors listened and talked
and applauded, but took no action. This
is left for tomorrow, the last day of
the conference, and a plan is afoot to
have the prepared speeches for that day
printed in the record without reading,
in order that the time may be devoted
wholly to results.
The resolutions committee was in ses-
sion all day and will report in the
morning. A committee consisting of
the governors of Kentucky, Missouri
and Nebraska was appointed to bring
in suggestion for permanent organ
iZation of governors, Independent per-
haps of any other organization which
may be framed by the conference.
The president opened the morning and
afternoon sessions, which We're there
after presided over by Governor rohn-
son of Minnesota and Governor Deneen
of Illinois respectively.
James j. Hill of the Great Northern,
who led a long list of speakers, treated
the depletion of the nations resources
In very serious and impressive way.
Issues We're squarely Joined as to
some of the methods pursued by the
government in the regulation of forest
reserves by four governors of the
northwest-Governor Brooks of Wyo-
ming, Governor Cutler of Utah. Cover
nor Gooding of Idaho and Governor
Toole of Montana.
Estimates Population
Mr.. Hill said that SO per cent of our
people are engaged directly in agricul-
ture, and that ali the rest depends upon
it. He estimated that III 1925 the popu
lation in the United States would reach
a total of about 130,000,090, and by the
end of the century at least zoo, 100000.
He continued: "Where are they to
go? How are they to be employed, and
how fed, how enabled to earn living?
We are approaching the point where all
our wheat product will be needed for
our own uses, and we shall cease to be
an exporter of grain. Our own people.
whose mineral resources will by that
time have greatly diminished, must
find themselves thrown back upon the
soil for living. If continued abuse of
the land should mark the next fifty
years as 1t has the last, what must be
the outlook ?"
Mr.. Hill said not only the economic
but the political future is involved, and
added:
'Since the unnecessary destruction
of our land will bring new conditions
of danger, its conservation, it's i'm
provement to the highest point of pro-
ductivity promised by scientific INTEL
ligence and practical experiment ap-
pears to be first command of any
political economy worthy the name"
Prof. Chamberlain of the University
of Chicago and president of the Amer
lean Association of Advancement fol-
lowed
Secretary Wilson of the department
of agriculture in speech said.
Talks of Agriculture
1.-The greatest asset we have in the
United States is our soil and we are
destroying that as promptly as we
can. The older settled parts of the
country have made the greatest prog
ress in the destruction of our soil"
Prof Hadley of Yale university made
the prediction that within twenty
years, If the present rate of progress
In teaching forestry continued, the
people of the country would take care
of that vital question.
The climax of the morning session
was produced by Governor Glenn of
North Carolina. He said he wished
to answer the suggestion of Speaker
Cannon at the banquet to the COVER
confederation arrangement and not
ask assistance of the federal govern
ment on the forestry reserve question.
I'VE tried a confederation once and it
did not pay" he said.
This remark brought the convention
to its feet. Hats We're thrown in the
air handkerchiefs waved and shouts,
laughter. and applause mingled. After
calling the conference to order this
evening President Roosevelt designated
Governor Deneen of Illinois to preside
Governor Fort of New Jersey, who
spoke briefly at the morning session
and who was to have spoken upon the
Waterways of New Jersey" was
compelled to leave for home today and
asked that his address be printed in
the proceedings.
Mr.. Bryan then moved that any of
the gentlemen who may be unable to
deliver their addresses be extended
similar privileges. President Roosevelt
declared that Mr.. Bryan's suggestion
was most admirable one and reso-
luton to that effect was adopted.
Former Governor Pardee of Califor-
MIA then began his address on RE
sources Related to Irrigation"