The Washington herald., 1908-05-17

TWO facts stand in large prominence
from the recent conference between the
President and the governors of the States.
one OF these facts Is that the nation is
making prodigal use Of its natural re-
sources to an extent that may be desig-
mated alarming.
The other is that determination has
been formed among the governmental
heads OF the nation, including the States,
to take active steps 10 conserve the natu-
raj resources and to resuscitate them
where exhausted, at least In the case Of
forests and the natural fertility OF the
soil.
The president. Mr.. James J. HnI. and
other speakers at the conferences and
public functions made strong statements
about the development Of the natural
resources Of the nation to the point Of
danger. These warnings are wise. and no
one viii think, or can think, that ths
statements made are much exaggerated
Coal, lumber, building material, iron, and
various minerals are being consumed at
an enormous rate, and, with conditions
as they are, without taking into consider
alton the cumulative rate of consump-
ton, It is possible to foresee the end OF
the terrible strain put upon mountain,
forest. and farm to support modern life.
MF. Cannon Hopeful.
AZ the banquet given by the Boa=d Of
Trade 70 the governors. Uncle joe
Cannon, almost alone of the speakers said
he could not take so pessimistic a view
Of the situation as some of the speakers
did. In his optimistic way, he sought to
show that the future was not black with
the fear of exhausted resources. but bright
with the hope OF new inventions and new
adaptations OF mechanical skill TO the
needs OF advancing civilization.
Il viii be recalled by those who have
given this subject some consideration,
that about forty years ago the depletion
Of the coal supply of Great Britain was
made the subject OF Parliamentary in
vestigatiOn. and a report was presented
upon the vanishing coal supply which lit
orally startled the world There were
many who seriously believed that the
world would come to the end OF its sup
ply Of fuel in about 200 years; and the
literature of the subject, which reached
even to poetry, Is one OF the curious
phases Of the action Of the human mind
in communities where one follows the
other In coming 10 some lugubrious con-
clusion affecting the well-being Of the
race.
Was a Drop In the Bucket.
The coal consumption forty years ago
was merely a drop in the bucket as COM
pared with the present day. But since
forty years ago two things have hap
pened which have completely changed the
situation. More new coal has been dis
covered In various parts of the world
than scientists and mechanics knew abou;
then.
The turbine engine and other improve
ments in the way of conserving power
have Iessened the use of coal. or rather
made power available from its use ar
amount equal to % per cent OF the energy
Of the coal. Another step In the saving
Of power through coal was made by tbs
application Of electricity, which shaved
on another large segment Of the wasted
power OF forty years ago.
The end is not yet. The world has Tot
yet begun 10 employ its unused water
power. from which increments OF forc'
equal 70. II not beyond, the present con
sumption would be available without the
burning OF a pound Of coal. Harnessinl
the waterfalls, the rushing rivers. ant