The Washington herald., 1908-05-14
RESOLUTION FAVORED.

ResolTed-l- That this conference places on
record It's conviction that 20 conserve and protect
from waste and destruction the natural wealth Of
the United States in mines forests. lands, and
waters Is of vital necessity 10 the public welfare
Action in this matter has been too long delayed.
and vast loss has resulted in consequence. notably
N the destruction wrought by forest fires. BY
floods. and the ruin Of lands whose fertility and
crop-bearing power has been lost. This unfor-
tunate destruction Of part Of the natural wealth
with which this virgin continent was originally
stored makes II al the more necessary that wise
action be taken 10 check further loss
, Though It recognizes the imperative need for
prompt action, this conference is impressed with
the difficulty Of framing legislative acts which
snail result In the largest measure Of public
benefit. The problems presented are many Of
them new and unprecedented. 1t is probable
that action b. both the Federal government and
the individual States will be essential. ard It
may also be possible By suitable laws 70 enlist
the sld Of private enterprise, But TO decide upon
the proper distribution ct responsibility and 20
frame laws which shall not work injury as Weil
as benefit is a matter demanding most careful
study and investigation by men Of high standing
ana expert qualifications
While certain individual measures NAV be
already in such shape that action upon them
mag wisely be taken, this conference holds that
for the guidance Of legislators. both State and
Federal. a thorough investigation and study
should be made by national and State commits
sions so constituted that their conclusions and
recommendations Will be eTeryEhere recognized
as authoritative and made solely in the public
interest
4. 1his conference, therefore, URGES upon Con
gress and the State legislatures the enactment
Of laws authorizing the President and the gov
eruofs, respectively. TO create national and State
commissions 90 investigate and report upon what
measures should be taken to conserve the na-
tional and State natural resources
These commissions should report at the earliest
possible date consistent with the Thorough per
fomanee Of their work. in order 10 enable the
President and the governors to transmit with
recommendations their reports to Congress and
the state legislatures fer such action as may
seem advisable TO protect our natural resources
from further spOiiatiOn and destruction. and to
secure such economy in their use as win pre-
serve fer coming generations the foundations OF
prosperity.
s. In order TO insure the harmonious co-opera-
tion of all the commissions this conference re
quests the President to call another national
conference 81 sBcA time as may seem most
advisable
G. To secure the most Efficient organization
for handling the national problems which the
reports Of these commissions viii inevitably raise
this conference recommends for the coBsideTa-
ton Of the President and Congress the forms-
ton of Department of Public Works to which
these and otaer engineering matters could be
referred and to which the State commissions
could apply fer information and assistance.