Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1908-05-13

LOOKING TO
OUR FUTURE
Governors Of The Difference
States Are Assembled in Wa
shlngiOn as Guests.
BY ROOSEVELT
He Points Out Waste Of Past
Years and Advocates Meas
ures Of Preservation.
Special By United Press wire.

|
Washington, May 13:-Governors,
federal officials, scientists and other
public men assembled in the East
room of the White House today for
the first session Of the conference
called by President Roosevelt to con-
slider the subject of the conservation
of the natural resources of the coun-
TRY.
President Roosevelt personally
will WELD the gavel during all the
sessions. No direct pressure will be
brought to bear on congress for the
enactment of legislation in any way
relating to the subjects to be discuss
ed. The President expects, however,
every governor, upon his return to
his state, will recommend to his leg
islature the enactment of state laws
to this end.
The conference will include ad-
dresses by recognized authorities,
after which a discussion will be in
vited on each paper.
Friday afternoon five subjects are
scheduled for consideration which
, are entirely separate from conserva-
tion, but in which the President be-
lieves the states to be jointly inter
ested. They are the plan for a uni
versal divorce law; extradition of
criminals from one state to another
upon telegraphic demands by COVER
; ;, nors; universal agreemen regarding
the treatment of tuberculosis in cat
tie case, and the segregation of con-
sumptiyes; better supervision and
observance of quarantine regula-
, tions.
Thomas r. shipp, of the forest
~
and DR.. W.. ]. MeGee, secretary of
the Inland Waterways Commission,
and recording secretary.
After the Presidents address which
was literally applauded, Governors
Blanchard, of Louisiana; Fort, of
New Jersey; Cutter, of Utah; David
son, of Wisconsin, and Ansel of South
lCarolina, were selected O committee
on resolutions.
In his opening address President
Roosevelt said, in part:
Governors Of the several States; and
Gentlemen
| welcome you to this conference
at the White House. You have come
hither at my request SO that we may
) join together to consider the question
of the conservation and use of the
great fundamental sources of wealth
of this nation. SO vital is this ques-
| ton, that for the first time in our
: history the chief executive officers
r of the states separately, and of the
: states together forming the nation,
have met to consider It,
' With the governors come men
) from each state chosen for their
[ special acquaintance with the terms
3 Of the problem that is before us.
Among them are experts in natural
resources and representatives of ma
D tional organizations concerned in the
. development and use Of these re-
8 sources; the senator's and representa-
! tives In congress; the supreme court
the cabinet, and the Inland Water
4 ways Commission have likewise been
8 invited to the conference, which is
I therefore national in a peculiar
r sense.
Q This conference on the conserva-
: tion of natural resources is in effect
/, meeting of the representatives OF
:, all the people Of the United States
d called to consider the weightiest prob
lem now before the nation; and the
occasion for the meeting lies In the
fact that the natural resources Of
our country are in danger of exhaus.
tion IL we permit the old wastefu
methods of exploiting them longer tC
continue.
With the rise of peoples from
savagery to civilization, and with the
consequent growth in the extent anc
Q variety of the needs of the average
q man, there comes steadily increas
J ing growth of the amount demanded
i by this average man from the actua
0 resources OF the country. Every steI
y of the progress of mankind is mark
! ed by the discovery and use of ma
J: turaI resources previously unused.
q In Washington's time anthracite
{ coal was known only as useless
Q black stone; and the great fields o.
= bituminous coal were undiscovered
/ AS steam was unknown, the use O.
i coal for power production was un
dreamed of. Water was PRACTICAL.
the only source of power, save tn,
labor of men and animals; and thii
power was used only In the mos
primitive fashion. But few small
iron deposits had been found in thi
country, and the use Of iron by on
countrymen was very small Woo,
was practically the only fuel, an,
g sumed locally, while the forests wer,
y regarded chiefly as distractions I,
9 settlement and cultivation.
II Since then our knowledge and usl
y of the resources of the present terri
L tory of the United States have In
q creased a hundred-foId. Indeed, th,
growth of this nation by leaps an,
bounds makes one of the most strik
. ing and important chapters in th'
: history of the world. Its growth ha
: Ebeen due to the rapid development
! and alas that it should be said, Ii
| the rapid destruction, Of our natura
I resources. Nature has supplied Il
+ us in the United States, and still
l supplies to us, more kinds Of re
I sources IN more lavish degree thai
4 ff.anttnued "a mage Ga