The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-05-16
|OIU[ ji|'|.. NATION FUTURE /
TAKEN into ACCOUNT .0|l|j.
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President Roosevelt Has Invited
: Governors of States and Terri
tories to Conference. "
TO Discuss the Question Of the
Conservation of the Nations
Natural Resources.

President Roosevelt has addressed a
letter to the governors of all the states
and territories to meet with him at
the White House on Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday Of next week, to
discuss the question of the conserva-
tive of the nations natural resources.
The full. text of the presidents letter
Is as follows:
my Dear Governor:
1.-The natural resources Of the United
States were, at the time of settlement
richer, more varied, and more avail
able than those of any other equal
area on the earth. The development
of these resources has given us for
more than a century, rate Of in
crease Of population and wealth with
out parallel in history. 1t is obvious
that the prosperity we now enjoy rests
directly upon these resources. 1t is
equally obvious that the vigor and
success which we desire and f0resee
for this nation in the futr/e must have
this as it's ultimate material basis
I'm view of these evident facts, it
seems to me time for the country to
take account Of it's natural resources,
and to inquire how long they are
likely to last. We are prosperous
now; we should not forget that it will
be just as important to our descend
ants to be prosperous in their time.
Recently I declared there is no
other question now before the nation
Of quail gravity with the question of
the conservation of our natural re-
sources and added that it Is the plain
duty of us who, for the moment, are
responsible to take inventory Of the
natural resources which have been
handed down to us, to forecast the
needs Of the future and so handle the
great sources Of our prosperity as not
to destroy in advance all hope Of the
prosperity of our descendants.
1T is evident the abundant natural
resources on which the welfare Of this
nation rests are becoming depleted,
exhausted. This is true of all por-
lions Of the United States; 1t is espe-
cially true Of the longer settled COM
munities of the east.
1.-The gravity of the situation must,
I believe; appeal with special force ITO
the governors of the states because of
their close relations to the people and
the responsibility for the welfare of
their communities. Il have therefore
decided, in accordance with the sug-
gestion Of the inland waterways COM
mission, to ask the governors Of the
states and territories to meet at the
White House on May 13, IA and 49,, to
confer with the president and with
each other upon the conservation Of
natural resources. III : ~: t~:s:,
1T gives me great: pleasure to in
wife you to. take part In this confer
ence.', should be glad to have you
select three citizens to accompany you
and to attend the conference as your
assistants or advisers. I shall also
! invite the senators and representa-
tives Of the sixtieth congress to be
present at the sessions so far as their
duties will permit.
'"The matters to be considered al
| this conference are not confined tc
! any region or group of states, but arc
of vital concern to the nation as q
whole and to all the people. Those
subjects include the use and conser'
walton Of. the mineral resources the
resources of the land. and the re-
sources of the waters in every part
Of our territory.
I'm order to open discussion, I shall
invite a few recognized authorities te
present brief descriptions of: .actua
facts and conditions, without argu-
ment, leaving the conference to dea
with each topic as it may elect. The
members Of the inland waterways
commission will be present In order
to share with me the benefit Of infor-
nation and suggestion, and, if de
Sired to set forth their provisional
plans and conclusions.
Facts, which I can not gainsay
force me to believe that the conserva"
ton of our natural resources Is tho
most weighty question now before the
people of the United States. If this
is so the proposed conference, which
is the first of it's kind, will be among
the most important gatherings in oul
history in its effect upon the welfare
of all our people.
II earnestly hope, my dear COVER
nor that you will find it possible tc
| be present.
| "Sincerely yours,
| THEODORE ROOSEVELT" =.