The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-05-13
SO Says President Roosevelt
In Address to the Many
Governors of United States
Now in Conference.
THE SESSIONS WILL
RESULT IN GOOD.
Many of the Great Questions
Confronting the American
People Will Be Thoroughly
Discussed.

Washington, May 13.-For the first
time since the republic was founded
the governors of the states have as
sembled in Washington for a confer
ence with the president of the United
States. At this conference, which be-
gan today, and which will last three
days, the paramount theme will be a
discussion of ways and means of con-
serving the nations vast resources,
with view to perpetuating the bOun-
teous riches of nature for the enjoy
ment Of the coming generations
In President Roosevelt's opinion, as
expressed in his mastery address to
the conference today. the greatest duty
that rests upon those who make and
execute the laws is the banding of the
nations resources and results may
come from this weeks conference that
will be epoch making in Importance
1t is expected that out of this confer
ence will develop permanent organ
ization of far-reaching influence in
protecting and economizing the re-
sources that make the United States
one of the most wonderful countries on
the globe.
The latitude of discussion will be
wide and no one can foretell all the
subjects that will be treated.
Not only will the conservation of
all resources above and below the
earth in the United States be thrashed
out, but in all likelihood when the
time for discussion arrives, the ques-
tion of a universal divorce law for all
states will be taken up. 1t also is pro-
posed to present to tie governors a
plan for the eXtraditiOn of criminals
from one state to the other on tee-
graphic demand from state executives.
Likewise, tuberculosis in man as well
as in cattle, and repressive measures
will be discussed
Meeting Is Unprecedente
The national capital never before
held as many eminent men as are gath
cred here to attend the conference. Ten
presidential possibilities are partici-
pating in the deliberations. They are
Roosevelt. Fairbanks, Hughes, Bryan,
Cannon. Gray, Johnson. Folk Knox
and Foraker. Four of the five men
whom President Roosevelt in sending
out the invitations, characterized as
"the greatest American citizens in pri-
vate life" are here-William j. Bryan
Andrew Carnegie, John Mitchell and
James J. Hill. The absentee is Gro
yer Cleveland, who would have attend
ed except for his illness.
When President Roosevelt called the
conference to order at II o'clock this
morning. he faced forty-four chief ex-
ecutives. In a majority of the cases
the governor is accompanied by three
substantial citizens of his state, who
scome as delegates by his appointment
The Governors of Hawaii. Porto Ri
co and Alaska are here, Among the
interesting characters that have ar.
rived to attend the conference is John
Hays Hammond, the mining expert
employed by the Guggenheims, who
draws a salary of 100000.
The famous East room of the White
House, where the conference is con-
ducting its deliberations. is a bower of
beauty. Here and there are magnifi-
cent potted plants. On a pedestal on
either sid.. is the coat of arms A
raised platform extends for fifty-two
fleet along the east side Of the room.
'This is covered with green soft plush.
l.Above it is the stuffed eagle that was
hsed as the model for the eagle on the
new st. Gauden's twenty-dOllar gold
spiece. Flags draped in beautiful fes
+oons formed a background. On the
walls Of the room are two of the larg-
est maps ever made. There is also a
device for the exhibition of transpar-
reclamation projects and other work
sconnected with conserving the natural
resources.
Old Washroom Is Aqow.
The room where Abagail Adams is
said TO have hung out her washing and
where mauy brilliant functions have
occurred. now presents much the ap-
pearance of a school room.
On the right side of the raised plat
form sits the president. surrounded hv
the members Of his cabinet. On the
left side. just opposite, the Vice Presi
dent sits. surrounded by the judges OF
the supreme court. The governors
and other visiting dignitaries and the
representatives of the press will occu,
by seats facing the platform.
Strict precautions have been taken
10 prevent any undesirable citizens
from attending the conference and ev.
cry person desiring entrance 10 the
white house will have to be personally
identified. The historic mansion will
be closed TO the ordinary run of visit.