The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-14

aaw that the perpetuity of the States could only be secured by union, and that the only feasible basis of union union that 1t must be based on the develop inent and use of their natural re- sources. Accordingly, he helped to veiopment, and by his Influence an Interstate waterways commission was appointed by Virgisia and Maryland. meeting, ID Alexandria, adjourned to Mount Vernon, and took up the con- sideration of interstate commerce by the only means then available. that of water Further conferences were arr ranged, first at Annapolis and then at Philadelphia. It was in Philadelphia that the representatives of all tEo. States met Tor what was in it's orig inal conception merely a waterways conference; but when they had closed their deliberations the outcome Was the Constitution which made the States
 "The Constitution of the United States thus grew in large part out Of the necessity for united action in the wise use of one of our natural re- sources. The wise use of all of our natural resources. which are our na- tional resources as well, is the great material question of today have asked YOU to come together now ne cause the enormous consumption or these resources. and the threat. of i'm mtnent exhaustion of some or them. due to reckless and wasteful use. once more. calls for common effort. common action.
 Since the days when the Consti- tuition was adopted. steam and eIectric. ity have revolutionized the industrial world Nowhere has the revolution This discovery and untilzation of min ersl fuels and alloys have given ns the lead over all other nations in the production of steel The discovary and
 an.r. Hs~ yaF4 us our railways and have led to such industrial development as has never before been seen. The vast wealth ot lumber in our forests the riches ot our soils and mines the discovery Of gold and mineral oils combined with the efficiency of our transportation. have made the conditions of out life unparalleled in comfort and conveu- fence.
 The steady increasing drain on these natural resources has promoted to an extraordinary, degree the complexity of our industrial and social life. Mora- over. this unexampled development hts had a determining effect upon the char acter and opinions of our people. The demand for eficfency in the great task has given us vigor. effectiveness. de- cision. and power: and a capacity Tor has never yet been matched. So great has been our material growth that there has been tendency to lag behind in spiritual ana moral SFoWtu' : but that is not the subject upon which I speak to you today.
 Resources and Prosperity
 "Disregarding for the moment the question of moral purpose, 1t is safe to say that the prosperity of our peo- ple depends directly on the energy and intelligence with which our natural TO- sources are used. It Is equally clear that these resources are the final basis of national power and perpetuity. Fin r. ally it Is omniously evident that these resources are in the course of rapid exhaustion.
 s'This Nation began with the belief that It's landed possessions were il1im- table and capable of supporting all the people who miGht care to make our country their home; but already the limit of unsettled land is in sight. and indeed but little land ftted for agriculture now remains unoccupfed save what can be reclaimed by irrf- gation and drainage. We began with an unapproached heritage of forests: more than half of the timber is gone. We began with coal fields more ex- tensive than those of any other nation and with iron ores regarded as tnax- haustible, and many experts now de. clare that the end of both Iron and coal is in sight E.
 The mere increase in our consump-