Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-05-13

Washinton. May 13-The White
House was the scene today of an as
semblage of many of the most distin-
gushed figures in the political and
industrial life of the nation. 1t was,
perhaps, one of the most notable
gatherings that ever met to consider
"A great public question in that his
turic mansion.
The occasion was the conference
called by President Roosevelt with
the governors practically Of all states
and Territories to consider the broad
question OF conservation of the coun-
trys natural resources The confer
ence will continue until Friday.
Men who know how the natural
resources of the country have been
wasted--captains of industry who
have dealt with these resources and
experts who have studied conditions
told of the nations prod gaiity in ex-
ploitation and consumption of it's
national resources.
Representing the government was
the president Of the United States,
the vice president, cabinet members,
justices OF the United States supreme
court and members of both houses of
by the chief executives and conferees
appointed by them. The industries
are represented by Andrew Carnegie,
James J. Hill John Mitchell and DIR.
|. G. White, state geologist of Virginia
and perhaps the leading expert on
coal in the United States.
The specially invited guests lnclud-
ed three Democratic presidential can
a faC 20 fpor
Judge George Gray of Delaware. and
Gov. John A. Johnson of Minnesota
The subject to be considered in
cludes the use and conservation of
mineral resources resources Of land
and resources of water. Long before
10 o'clock. when the conference was
called to order in the famous east
room in the White House ny Presi-
dent Roosevelt. those who took part
in the great gathering began to ar
rive The president received the gov
ernors and shortly after all assembled
in the East room.
The conference was opened by the
president with an address on "Conser-
walton AS : National Duty" The pro-
gram for the day included an address
by Andrew Carnegie on "Ores and
Related Minerals" and by Dr.. |. c.
White on Mineral Fuels" Former
President John Mitchell Of the United
Mine Workers of America led the
general discussion on coal mining.
In opening the conference, Presi-
dent Roosevelt said in part:
Governors of the Several states, and
Gentlemen:
! welcome you to this conference at
hs4NF a
hither at my request so that we may
join together to consider the Ques-
ton Of the conservation and use OF
the great fundamental sources of
wealth of this nation. So vital is this
question, that for the first time in
our history the chief executive off,
GERS Of the states separately, and Of
the states together forming the ma
ton, have met to consider it.
With the governors come men from
Zach state chosen for their special
acquaintance with the terms of the
problem that is before us Among
them are experts in natural resource
- ana representatives Of national or
ganiTations concerned in the deyel-
opmont and use of these resources:
the senators and representatives, in
Congress, the supreme court, the
cabinet, and the inland waterways
commission have likewise been invit-
ed 10 the conference. which is there
for, national I'm a peculiar sense.
This conference on the conserva-
tiou OF natural resources is In effect
q meeting of the representatives. OF
a. tho people of the United States
called 10 consider the weighticst
problem now before the nation; and
the occasion for the meeting lies in
the fact that the natural resources
of our country are In danger of eN-
haust.on If We permit the old waste
ful methods OF exploiting them longer
20 continue.
With the rise Of peoples from saw
agery to civilization, and with the
consequent growth In the extent and
variety OF the needs OF the average
man, there comes a steadily increas-
ing growth of the amount demanded