Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-05-15
WEALTH OF THE NATION.
Remarkable Conference Looking to Its
Conservation.

Two ideas destined TO marx mate
rial progress in Americas future re-
suited from the first Of the three days
conference commencing Wednesday
at the. White House at which Presi-
dent Roosevelt, the governors of for
ty-four states, cabinet officers, su-
preme court judges, senators, repre-
sentatives and experts are particfpat-
ing, in efforts to reach conclusions on
the best methods of conserving the
natural resources Of the United
States
The first is that permanent organ
iZation between the states and the
nation is necessary and will likely re-
suit from this conference to accom-
plish the end sought. The second,
suggested by Secretary Root, is that
there is no limitation by the constitu-
ton to the agreements which may be
made between two states, subject to
the approval Of congress. The two
ideas fully developed, 1t is predicted,
would result in the conservation of
the energies and resources of the ma
ton through uniform and unconfiict-
ing laws, both national and state.
The idea that the conference should
be perpetuated developed in the form
of resolutions adopted for later con-
sideration by Governor Glenn, Of
North Carolina, Governor Folk, Of
Missouri, and many others, but par
liamentary move to save time sent
them to a committee for considera-
ton.
The first day was crowded with in
teresting and important develop
ments, and fraught with history-mak-
ing possibilities.
Forty-four governors Of sovereign
states Of the union sat on gilded
chairs in the historic East Room Of
the White House and chatted from 10
to IL o'clock this morning. Five hun
dred other persons taxed the capaci-
ty of the room. They were cabinet
officers, supreme court justices, sem
ators, representatives and experts in
all lines of industry. With flourish
Of trumpets the president entered at
II o'clock and the conference, the
first of it's kind In the history Of the
nation, begun.
The setting for the scene was mag
nificent and impressive. The assem-
blage faced the east wall, which was
made resplendent by a platform done
in green plush, backed by two large
framed maps of the United States
showing in colors its various resour-
ces, in the centre Of which was a de-
vice for the production of colored
glass illustrations Of the speeches,
with a glaring reproduction of a for
est fire on view. Seats Of honor di-
rectly in front Of these maps were oc-
cupied by members Of the presidents
cabinet and justice Of the supreme
court. The president and vice pres
ident occupied high-backed green
plush chairs on either side Of the GEN.
tire.
The reception of the president was
the first climax Of the opening day.
He entered the East Room at eleven
o'clock as the Marine band rendered
the presidential honors. The govern
ors arose; they clapped their hands,
they shouted. The demonstration be-
came tumultuous. Then followed a
hush. The venerable DR.. Edward Ev-
erett Hale, chaplain Of the senate,
read from the Scriptures the descrip-
ton of the fertility Of the land prom
ised the children Of Israel, and fol-
lowed it with a supplication for guild
mace in the present undertaking.
President Roosevelt here begun his
explanation of the reason for the
conference. His fifty-minute speech
was many times interrupted by ap-
plause, and when he finally reached
his point of praise to the inland wa
terways commission, and declared
with characteristic vigor that should
congress neglect to perpetuate the
commission Il will do it myself" he
captured" the assemblage. The gov
ernors stood up and shouted, senator's
and congressman added a laugh to
their applause, and general assent
was given the sentiment.