The Detroit times., 1908-05-16
RESOURCES CONFAB
60 N ES To
AN END
GOVERNORS DECIDE TO FORM
PERMANENT ORGAN lZATION
AND ADOPT A DECLARATION OF
COOPERATION.

WASHINGTON. May l6.-The con.
ference OF governors, which had been
in progress at the White House for
three days ended yesterday and. &C
cording 10 president, its results are
ample
The governors decided 70 perfect a
permanent organization whereby a
heretofore unknown intimacy may be
developed among the executives OF
the 46 sovereign states. made strong
by q common purpose, and made po-
tent by pronouncsments which may
not lightly be dlsregarded
President Roosevelt answering the
one criticism, that Of Gov Folk. Of
Missouri 10 the declaration, aroused
the conference TO its warmest demon
stration OF approval He swept aside
the academic question" OF where the
line OF authority should be drawn
between the states and the nation. He
wanted action. and what he said re-
ceived Endorsement al each period.
II was this:
Just a word OF what has been
called the twilight land between the
powers Of the federal and state gov
ernments. My primary aim In the
legislation that / have advocated for
the regulation OF the great corpora.
lions has been TO provide some effec-
tive popular sovereign for each
corporation.
rent for water power Ny position Is
simply that where privilege, which
may be OK untold value In the future
TO the individual grantee, Is asked from
the federal government. then the fed
sral government should put into the
grant condition that II shall not be
csssity for the grant. then there must
be power TO attach conditions 10 the
grant
Make 1t long enough so that the cor
reward. The corporation deserves II.
Give an ample reward TO the captain
OF Industry; but not an indeterminate
vision that will enable the next gem
GRAFTON that Will enable our children
st the end Of . certain specified period
TO say what. in their Judgment, should
power which 10 Of use 70 the grantee
only because the people as a whole al
low him TO use IL.
1t Is eminently right that he should
DO allowed to make ample profit from
his development Of IL; but make him
pay something for the privilege. ana
make the grant for fixed period 80
that when the conditions change as In
ell probability they will change. our
children. the nation OF the future, shall
have the right TO determine the condi-
ton upon. which that privilege shall
be enjoyed.
Ny concern is not with the academic
side OF the question. ! deal with the
matter practically from the stand.
point OF true popular interest; and
therefore my desire lie to employ indif-
fersntiy either the principle Of states
rights. or the principle Of national SOW
ereignty, whichever In given case
will best conserve the need OF the
people"
The declaration upon which the
presidents remarks were predicated
was presented to the conference by
Gov. Blanchard, OF Louisiana. at the
opening OF the session. After reading
II, Blanchard stated that 1t proceeded
upon board lines. and purposely aviod-
cd making specific Endorsements OF
desired projects or legislation.
II was upon the suggestion OF Gov.
Glenn, Of North Carolina. that future
conferences should depend upon the
expressed desire OF twothirds OF the
governors, that Gov. Folk made the
criticism which call forth the presl-
dents remarks above quoted
The declaration was adopted with
out dissent, after which the president
introduced William J. Bryan. who re-
ceived a most enthusiastic reception.