Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-24
Conservation of National Re.
sources a Vital Issue.
NATIONAL SOCIETY FORMED
New Phase of the Present Political
Canvass.
WHAT THE LEAGUE Is DOING
Efforts to Enlist the Cooperation OF
Started by Roosevelt.

new phase has been introduced into
American politics by the action of the
Conservation League of America in call
ing upon candidates for national and
state offices in the present campaign to
Indicate how they stand upon the sub
ject of the conservation OF our national
resources.
When President Roosevelt last May
called into conference at the White House
the governors OF the several states and
the posted men of the nation in connec-
ton with this subject there was not ons
In twenty even OF the thinking men or
the country who apprehended the real
reasons for the conference or what pos
sible good could come OF 1t. Yet now,
before a year has elapsed. the nation
seems thoroughly aroused to the situa-
ton, and definite action Is shaping itself
on all sides to preserve to the American
people the God-given heritage they have
been so carelessly allowing TO slip out OK
their hands.
What is the conservation movement?
the uniformed may ask. The answer.
though simple Is almost boundless in Its
qualifications. In word, 1t Is an eHort
on the part of the President. with the CO.
operation of the American people. to pre-
serve and put to the best possible uses
the immense natural wealth of the coun-
try, the source of its power and standing
among the nations of the earth: the re-
demption, as far as may be. OF that which
has slipped away from Them and the de-
velopment of things which. now WORTH
less. may by scientific treatment be made
more valuable.
Many Objects to Attain.
1t does not mean merely the intelligent
use and preservation of the great ma
Ill I,nly, h,i1
houses. make our furniture. and kindle
our fires. but 1t includes as well the
reclamation of swamp lands and those
that have been submerged: the proper ir-
rigation of barren tracts which water can
turn into garden spots and farm lands
yielding golden crops; the proper use and
disposition of public lands that attract
the covetous eye Of the ne-builder at
the peoples expense; the prevention OF
waste of minerals. soil and water-power
and the development and use of the great
waterways and their sources for purposes
of navigation or to make power to turn
machinery and thus save In the consump-
ton of wood and coal needed for fuel. 1t
extends beyond the preservation Of nat
ural beauty to more important measures
for the utilization Of human energy and
the present well as the future protec.
ton of human life.
These are the things sought to be ac-
complished through the conservation
movement. In homely smile 1t is like
asking the prodigal heir to take intelli-
gent care OF his fortune that the future
of his children may be assured. 1t is a
reminder to the people of today that the
natural blessings they enjoy are given
them in trust for posterity and 1t Is their
duty to preserve and develop them as be-
comes faithful trustee.
National League Formed.
Following the White House conference
at which the chief men of the states were
brought face to face with the facts and
their interest aroused in behalf Of the
national patrimony. and the conservation
congress came the formation of the Con.
servation League of America.
The objects Of this league are to CO.
operate as far as possible with govern.
poses of the conservation movement and
to interest and secure the cooperation Of
the great associations of the country
which are concerned with subjects In
cluded in the movement, as well to i'm
press upon the mind of the individual
citizen how vitality important the move
ment Is to him and his children and those
that come after them. 1t mas special
aim. however at this time and that is to
arouse a public interest in the conserva-
ton OF the nations resources in those
who are candidates for state or national
office in the present campaign. to COM
NIT them, If possible. to the objects of the
movement. or to support those who will
further it's objects.
Under President Roosevelt's direction
all the agencies of the national govern
ment are working on one line or another
to schedule the vast resources of the
country and to develop and conserve
them for the national good. great ad
vance has been made in this direction.
even though the time since the President
first called attention to the subject has
been short: but 1t illustrates what can
be accomplished II the people as whole.
without regard to politics. but moved by
national spirit, will unite to gather in
and guard the good things of their ma
tive land