Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-05-20

OVernOrS at washington, WHICH IOl-
yves hereafter, should be of spec
II interest as embodying the views
f the governors of all the states
n the union-the first time any such
eclaration has been issued in be-
lalf of so august body:
eve the governors of the states
and territories of the United States
of America in conference assem-
Dled, do hereby declare the conviction |
that the great prosperity of our coun-
try rests upon the abundant resourc- |
es of the land chosen by our fore
fathers for their homes, and where |
thew laid the foundation of this great |
nation.
eve look upon these resources as
a heritage to be made use of in es-
tablishing and promoting the COM
fort, prosperity and happiness of the
American people, but not to be vast
ed, deteriorated nor needlessly des-
troyed
eve agree that our country's fu-
ture is involved in this; that the
great natural resources supply the
material basis upon which our civil
ization must continue to depend, and
upon which the perpetuity of the
nation itself rests.
eve agree, in the light of facts
brought to our knowledge and from
information received from resources
which we cannot doubt, that this ma
terial basis is threatened with ex-
haustion. Even as each succeeding
generation from the birth of the ma
ton has performed it's part in pro-
noting the progress and develop
ment of the republic, so do we in
this generation recognize it as high
duty to perform our part, and this
duty in large degree In the adopt
ion of measures for the conservation
of the natural wealth of the coun-
try.
eve declare our firm conviction
that this conservation of our natural
resources is subject Of transcend
ent Importance, which should engage
unremittingly the attention of the
nation, the states and the people in
earnest cooperation. 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 9th
er uses of our streams, and the min
erals which form the basis of our
Industrial life and supply us with
heat, light and power.
ssWe agree that the land should be
so used that erosion and soil wash
should cease; that there should be
reclamation of arid and semi-arid
regions by means of irrigation and of
swamp and overlooked 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
irrigation, and to develop power in
the interests of the people; that the
forests which regulates our rivers,
support our industries and promote
the fertility and productiveness of
the soil, should be preserved and per-
petuated; that the minerals found
so abundantly beneath the surface
should be so used as to prelong their
! utility; that the beauty, healthful-
ness and habitability of our country
should be preserved and increased;
that the monopoly thereof should not
be tolerated.
eve commend the wise fore
thought of the president in sounding
the note of warning as to the waste
and exhaustion of the natural re-
sources of the country, and signify
our high appreciation of his action
in calling the conference to consider
the same and to seek remedies there
| for through cooperation of the ma
ton and the states.
"We agree that this cooperation
should find expression in suitable &C.
tion by the congress within the linn
its of, and co-eXtensive with, the
national Jurisdiction of the subject
and complimentary thereto, by the
legislatures of the several states with
in the limits of, and co-extensivt
with, their jurisdiction.
eve declare the conviction that IL
the use of the natural resources oul
independent states are interdepend
ent and bound together by ties Of
mutual benefits, responsibilities ant
duties.
eve agree in the wisdom of future
conferences between the president
members of congress and the COVER
nors of the states regarding the con
servation of our natural resources
with the view of continued co-opera
ton and action on the lines sug
gested. And to this end we advise
that from time to time, as in hi
judgment may seem wise, the presi
dent call the governors of the states
members of congress and others int
conference.
s'We agree that further action i
advisable to ascertain the presen
condition of our national resource
and to promote the conservation o
the same. And to that end we rec
ommend the appointment by eacl
state of commission on the conser
walton and natural resources, to co
operate with each other and with an,
, similar commission on behalf of th
federal government.
eve urge the continuation ant
extension of forest policies adapte,
to secure the outstanding and renew
al of our diminishing timber supply
the prevention of soil erosion, tn
protection of head waters and tn
maintenance of the purity and navi
L Al