The morning journal-courier. (New Haven, Conn.) 1907-1913, 1908-05-16
NEW EPOCH BEGUN
Governors of Every State Unite
in Declaration of Go.
Operation.
TO CONSERVE RESOURCES
Permanent Organization of Executives
VIII Carry out Conference
Agreement.

Washington, May l5.-The first con-
ference OF the governors Of the states
OF the American union ended to-day.
Like many OF the important events of
history, time Is needed TO reveal the
epoch which the president and the
governors believe has been begun.
The accomplishment of the confer
ence, which has been in progress At
the White House for three days, can
not be set forth with exactitu1e. but
that It's immediate results are more
than ample is the expression Of Presl-
dent Roosevelt, who brought It about
and of the governors who nartlci-
pated.
The printed record Of the confer
euce. which viii be available by every
American home later on, will be n
compilation Of facts, startling IN their
meaning and convincing In their uni
versal conclusion that the states must
act, and that the states and the ma
ton must cooperate to the end that
t. the whole people of the nation may
accrue the lasting benefit of its natural
resources,
Besides the compilation Of facts by
the experts and the freely-eXpressed
opinion OF the governors, the confer
cree leaves as It's permanent record,
thousand words Of declaration" Not
a DECLARATION Of independence but
declaration ~ cooperation
Perhaps greater in Importance than
all else was the determination Of the
governors to perfect permanent or
ganization, whereby a heretofore I'M
known intimacy may be developed
among the executives of tho 20 soycr-
egn states made strong by common
purpose, and made potent By pro
nouncements which may not lightly be
disregarded.
The last day was one Of many feat
ures. The set program was swept,
aside. The president presided through
out. He INTERCEPTED remarks and
speeches
President Roosevelt himself answer
ing the one criticism that Of Cover
nor Folk, Of Missouri to the declara
tion. aroused the conference to Its
warmest demonstration Of approval He
swept aside the academic question
"a where the line of authority should
be drawn between the states and the
nation. He wanted action, and what he
said received endorsement at each
period.
The declaration. upon which the
presidents remarks were predicated,
was presented to the conference by
Governor Blanchard Of Louisiana, at
1 the opening Of the session, shortly after
10 o'clock After reading II, Mr..
Blanchard stated that II proceeded up
ON broad lines, and purposely avoided
making specific endorsements of desir-
! cd projects or legislation.
| It's substance Is as follows:
1--WE urge the continuation and ex-
tention OF forest policies adopted 10
secure the outstanding and renewal of
/ our diminishing timber supply. the
prevention of soil erosion, the protec-
ton Of headwaters and the maintc-
nance OF the purity and nayigability
/ of the streams. We recognize that the
private ownership Of forest lands en-
tails responsibilities in the interests
I of all the people, and We favor the
enactment of laws looking to the pro-
lection and replacement Of privately
owned forests.
1--WE recognize In our waters a mos.
valuable asset Of the people Of th'
United States, and we recommend the
enactment Of laws looking TO the CON
servation OF water resources for irrigu-
ton, water supply, power and navige-
ton, 70 the end that navgable and
course streams may be brought under
complete control and fully utilized fol
every purpose, We specially urge or
the federal congress tho immediate
adoption Of a wise, active and thorough
waterway policy, providing for In,
prompt impf~~ement Of our streams
and conservation Of their watershed
required for the purpose Of commerce
and the protection OF the interests o.
our people.
I'VE recommend the enactment o.
laws looking to the prevention OF vast
in the mining and extraction Of coal
oil gas, and other minerals with {
view TO their wise conservation for tho
use Of the people, and to the protectlor
Of human life In the mines