The Elbert County tribune., 1908-05-21
PASSED BY GOVERNORS OF THE
STATES AT THE WHITE
HOUSE CONFERENCE.
MUST STOP WASTE
RECOMMEND ACTION TO PRO-
TEcT OUR couNTRY's SOIL,
WATERS, FORESTS AND
MINERALS.

conference at the White House FRI
day Governor Blanchard of Louisiana,
chairman Of the committee on reso-
lutions, presented to the conference
the report OF the committee, as fol-
lows:
''We. the governors OF the states
and territories OF the United States.
In conference assembled. do hereby de-
clare the conviction that the great
prosperity of our country rests upon
the abundant resources OF the land
chosen by our forefathers for their
homes and where they laid the foun-
dalton Of this great nation.
Even as each succeeding genera
tion from the birth of the nation has
performed its part In promoting the
progress and development OF the re-
public. so do we in this generation
recognize 1t as high duty to perform
our part OF this duty in large degree
in the adoption of measures for the
conservation OF the natural wealth OF
the country.
"These natural resources include
the land on which we live and which
yields our food; the living waters
which fertilize the soil. supply power.
and form great avenues of commerce,
the forests. which yield the materials
for our homes. prevent erosion OF the
soil, and conserve the navigation and
other uses of our streams; and the
minerals, which form the basis of our
industrial life and supply us with heat,
light and power.
I'VE agree that the land should be
so used that erosion and soil wash
should cease, that there should be re-
clamation of arid and semi-arid re-
gions by means of irrigation. and OF
swamp and over-fiowed regions by
means OF drainage; that the waters
should be SO conserved and used as
to promote navigation to enable the
arid regions to be reclaimed by irriga-
tion and to develop power in the inter-
ests OF the people; that the forests.
which regulate our rivers, support our
industries and promote the produc-
tiyeness of the soil, should be pre-
served and perpetuated: that the min
erals found so abundantly beneath the
surface should be so used as to pro
long their utility; that the beauty,
healthfulness and habitability OF our
country should be preserved and in
creased; that the sources OF national
wealth exist for the benefit of all the
people and that the monopoly thereof
should not be tolerated.
I'VE CONNIE nd the wise forethought
OF the President in sounding the note
of warning as to the waste and ex'
haustion OF the natural resources OF
the country and signify our apprecia'
tion of his action of calling this con
ference to consider the same; and to
seek remedies therefor through coop
Grafton of the nation and the states.
I'VE agree that this cooperation
should find expression in suitable ac
tlon by the Congress within the limits
Of, and co-extensive with. the ma
tional Jurisdiction of the subject and
complementary thereto, by the legis
latures OF the several states within
the limits Of, and co-extensive Will
their Jurisdiction.
I'VE agree In the wisdom of future
conferences between the President
members of Congress and the COVER
nors Of the states regarding the con
servatism of our natural resources
with the view of continued operation
and action on the lines suggested. And
to this end we advise that from time
to time, as In his judgment may seem
wise, the President call the governors
Of the states. members OF Congress
and others into conference.
I'VE agree that further action is ad
visable to ascertain the present con
dition of our natural resources and tc
promote the conservation OF the same
And to that end We recommend the ap
polntment by each state Of a commits
sion on the conservation OF natura
resources. TO cooperate with each
other and with any similar commits
sion on behalf of the federal govern
ment.
we urge the continuation and ex
tension OF forest policies adapted tc
secure the outstanding and renewal ol
our diminishing timber supply, the pre-
vention Of soil erosion, the protection
Of head-waters and the maintenance ol
the purity and navigability Of oul
streams. We recognize that the pri
vate ownership of forest lands lends
responsibilities to the interest of al
the people. and We favor the enact
ment Of laws looking to the protection
and replacement of privately owned
forests.
I'VE recognize in our waters a mos
valuable asset of the people OF the
United States. and We recommend the
enactment Of laws looking to the con
servation OF water resources for irrf
CATION, water supply, power and navi
cation. to the end that navigable and
source streams may be brought under
complete control and fully utilized for
every purpose.
We especially urge on the federal
Congress tho immediate adoption of a
wise, active and thorough waterway
policy providing for the prompt I'm
provement of our streams and con
servation of their watersheds required
for the uses Of commerce and the pro
lection Of the interests Of our people.
I'VE recommend the enactment OF
laws looking to the prevention OF
waste In the mining and extraction oil
coal oil, gas and other minerals, with
view to their wise conservation to
the use OF the people and to the pro.
lection of human life in the mines.