The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-05-20
CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS.
Conservation Of National Resources
Is the Subject Of Discussion.

Conservation Of National Resources
Is the Subject Of Discussion.
WASHINGTON, May 13.-The White
house was the scene today of the "a.
semblage Of many of the most distin.
guished figures in the political and
industrial life Of the nation. It was,
perhaps, one of the most notable
gatherings that has ever met to con-
slider . great public question in the
history Of the nation. The occasion
was the conference by President
Roosevelt with the governors of prac'
tically all of the states and territories
to consider the broad question OF con.
serv alton OF the country's natural re.
sources.
The conference ia the outgrowth Of
the recommendation of the interna-
tional waterways commission to the
president. The suggestion of such
gathering met with the presidents en-
thusiastic approval. Later the presi.
dent made public letter inviting the
governors of the states to attend the
conference. In this communication,
the president declared that there 10
now no other question before the ma.
tion of equal gravity with the ques-
ton of conservat alton of the country's
natural resources.
The conference was opened by the
president with an address on "Con.
serv alton As National Duty" The
program for the day included ad.
dresses by Andrew Carnegie on
"Ores and Related Minerals" and
by DR.. I. G. White, professor of geol-
ogy, University Of West Virginia and
state geologist of that state on "Min-
eral Fuels"
Former President John Mitchell of
the United Mine Workers of America
led the general discussion of coal
mining.
Two ideas, destined to mark mater.
ial progress in Americas future, re-
suited from the first of three days.
conference. The first is that q per-
manent organization by the states and
the nation is necessary and will likely
result from the present conference to
accomplish the end sought.
The second-suggested by Secretary
Roots that there is no Limitation by
the constitution to the agreements
which may be made between the states
subject to the approval of congress.
The two ideas, fally developed, it is
predicted, would result in the conser.
walton of energies and resources of
the nation through uniform and un.
conflicting laws, both national and
state.
WASHINGTON, May 14.-The Sec
ond days conference at the White
house between President Roosevelt
and the governors of various states
and territories for the consider alton
of the conserv alton of the natural re-.
sources of the country, met this morn.
ing at 10 o'clock. President Roosevelt
called the meeting to order, after
which he invited Governor John A.
johnson of Minnesota, to preside.
Perhaps the most distinguished
speaker was James J. Hill, chairman
of the board of directors of the Great
Northern railroad, who spoke on
1.-THE Natural Wealth of the Land
and It's Conserv alton"
Mr.. Hill said that in some respects
the occasion that called together the
present assemblage is unprecedented.
ut is in effect" said he, "a directors
meeting of the great political and
economical corporation known as the
United States of America. The stock
holders are the eighty seven million
people of this country; the directors
are the state and federal officers
whose position brings them in touch
with the oper ations Of the whole coun
try. We should not fail to recognize
the high note that has been struck and
the immensity of the interests involved
upon the lives of millions yet to be
born.''
Mr.. Hill said that for the first time
there is a formal protest, under seal
of the highest authority, against econ
omic waste. "May we not hope from
this gathering there may be born not
only wiser system of using the still
remaining resources of this country,
but cooperation between nation and
state that shall be as helpful in our
political as the deliberations ought to
be in our economic future"
WASHINGTON, May l5.-The third
and last day Of the conference of gov.
ernors began with every indication
that important action would result.
A full attendance was present when
President Roosevelt called the con.
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