The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-11
GOVERNORS GIVE
 HEARTY APPROVAL Natural Resources of Country
 Must Be Conserved PLANS ARE FAR-REACHlNG Joint Conservation Conference Elm phasizes Necessity of Taking
 Prompt Action in All the
 States of the Union.
PLANS ARE FAR-REACHING

Washington. December 1O.-Pro- phetie of far-reaching results growing out of the joint conservation confer ence, is a report drafted today by more than 30 governors, approving the prin- ciple of cooperation among the states and between the states and the federal government, in the conservation of the country's natural resources. and em- phasizing the importance of such CO., operation to the end that the prosperi- ty and perpetuity of the nation may be assured.
 The last days conference between President Roosevelt's national con- servation commission, leaders in com meree and industry, law makers, gov ernors, senators and representatives was fraught with much significance, but in pledging their support to every phase of the conservation problem, the governors furnished the climax to one of the most eventful gatherings ever held in this country. The conference heard addresses from Andrew Carnegie, Governors Woodruff of Connecticut, An sel of South Carolina, Broward of Florida. Deneen of Illinois, former Gov ernor Blanchard of Louisiana and oth- CT distinguished men.
 The joint conference, through a com mittee on resolutions, summed up it's deliberations and gave hearty approval to the work and principles of the commission. The necessity for such work as may be necessary to extend cooperation was strongly urged and the policy of separate disposal of sur face, timber and mineral rights re- maining in public lands was com mended. The conference approved the disposal of mineral rights by lease only, and the disposal of timber rights by lease only, and the disposal of tim Der only under conditions insuring proper cutting and logging.
 The policies upon which particular emphasis was laid were:
 That all uses of the waters and all portions of each waterway shall be treated as inter-related; legislation for the development of waterways for nav igation, water supply and other in eterstate uses, preferably by federal appropriation, otherwise by issue of bonds; more specific research as to the extent of the nations resources; the maintenance of national conservation commission empowered to cooperate with state commissions.
 A resolution was adopted, providing for the appontnIen nt of a joint committee of six members of state commissions and three members of the national commits sion, to prepare a plan for united action by all organizations concerned with the conservation of natural resources.
 Preservation of the forests probably is one of the most vital subjects which the joint conference has been called upon to deal with. Startling facts were presented relative to the rapidly diminishing tim Ter supply and the forest fires which have swept away timber that will require years to reproduce.
 The lawmakers, the governors, leaders Of labor and captains of commerce and in- dustry, who participated in the debates, agreed that one of the obstacles thus far encountered to the preservation of the forest was the apparent conflict of author ity between the federal government and the several states, and many of the speak CTS urged that in most instances the gov ernment should step in and do what the states have either neglected or refused to do.
 Former Governors Blanchard of Louis jana and Fardee of California, Commis- sioner Whipple of New York and Gov ernor Johnson of Minnesota were promi- nent in the discussion. Andrew Car negie urged cooperation between the states and federal government. as one of the cardinal policies by which the for ests may be saved and forestry encour- aged.
 At the afternoon session the report of the sections of waters was presented