The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-13
Most Notable Assemblage in the
COuntry's History
Greeted by President Roosevelt
at the White House.
GOVERNORS OF STATES
Leaders of Politics, Industry
and Business
Meet to Discuss Conservation
of Natural Resources.

House was the scene today or the
assemblage of many of the most dis
tinguished figures in the political and
Industrial life of the nation. 1t was
perhaps, one of the most notable gath
erings that has ever met to consider
great public question in that historic
mansion. The occasion was the con-
ference by President Roosevelt with
the governors of practically all the
states and territories to consider the
broad question of conservation of the
countrys natural resources. The con-
ference will continue through Friday.
The men who know how the natural
resources of the country have been
wasted-captains of industry who have
dealt with these resources and experts
who have studied the conditions will
tell of the nations prodigality in the
exploitation and consumption OF its
natural resources.
Representing the government was
the president of the United States,
the vice president, the cabinet, justices
of the supreme court and members OF
both houses of congress. The states
We're represented by their chief execu-
tives and the conferees appointed by
them.
The industries were represented by
Andrew Carnegie, the ironmaster; Jas.
]. Hill. the genius of railway expan-
sion; John Mitchell, the labor leader
and DR.. I. c. White, state geologist of
West Virginia, and perhaps the lead
ing expert on coal in the United States.
The specially invited guests includ'
ed three Democratic presidential can
didates-William Jennings Bryan,
Judge George Gray of Delaware, and
Governor John A. johnson, Minnesota
The subjects tc be considered include
the use and conservatism of mineral
resources, resources of the land and
resources of the waters.
The conference is the outgroWth of
the recommendation of the inland wa
terway conventions to the president.
The suggestion of such a gathering
met with the presidents enthusiastic
approval Later the president made
public a letter inviting the governors
of the states to attend the conference.
In this communication the president
declared that there is no other ques
ton now before the nation of equal
gravity with the question of the con-
servation of the countrys natural re-
sources.
Opened by the President.
Long before 10 o'clock when the con-
ference was called to order in the fam
Gus east room in the White House by
President Roosevelt, those who took
part in the great gathering began to
arrive. The president received the gov
sembled in the east room. The con-
ference was opened by the president
with an address on Conservation as a
National Duty"
The programme for the day included
addresses by Andrew Carnegie on
"Ores and Related Minerals" and by
DR.. 1. c. White, professor of geology,
University of West Virginia, and state
geologist of that state, on Mineral
Fuels
E,orr,a, praSidapt Job. NTitoI,ou of
the United Mine Workers of America
led the general discussion on coal min
ing. The detailed arrangements for the
conference accorded with the import
ance of the discussion and the prom
inence of those in attendance. Almost
complete transformation of the east
room was effected. Along the east wall
was placed a combined frame work and
platform 50 feet long and 10 feet high.
This was artistically covered with
green velvet, trimmed with gold rope.
This framework afforded a proper set
ting for two giant maps of the United
States, each of which is colored to
graphically show the various resources
of the country. The governors occu-
pied the seats of honor just in front of
the platform. The other conferees and
delegates were seated in the order of
the arrival at the meeting.
The President Is Cheered.
President Roosevelt's reception by
the governors and distinguished men
at the conference, as he entered the
east room by the side of Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks, was the first evidence
that the assemblage was not to be
bound too closely by dignity. 1t was
precisely II o'clock when the presi-
dent stepped upon the platform and
when the presidential honors by the
Marine band had been given the gov
ernors stood up, clapped their hands
and then Justify cheered. The presi-
dent took up small gavel and the
history making conference was on.
Previous to the appearance of the
president the east room had for an
hour been the scene of animated con-
versation as the governors and con-
ferees gathered. Senators and mem
bers of the house of representatives
indicated by their numbers that the
session of congress might have to pro-
ceed without a quorum. The Marine
band stationed in the spacious lobby
adjacent to the east room We'd with
the conversational powers of the dis
tinguished conferees, while attendants
were busy furnishing additional seat
ing facilities.
Members of the presidents cabinet
and the justices of the supreme court
were invited to take hasty arranged
seats on the long platform, the back OF
which furnished the setting for the
huge maps and the arrangement fol
the colored glass illustrations, which
were to give point to the various
speeches.
The east room lacked nothing az
a fitting setting for the occasion. The
richness of its pure white walls wifi
hangings of old plush and its three
magnificent cut glass chandeliers sus
pended from the ceiling in the center
of room were added to by the slender
gilded chairs, which filed the entir,
floor space. On the east wall rose tn.
improvised platform, trimmed in greer
H