The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1909-01-22
CALLS ON nation
To Save ITSELF
Presidents Message 'ProCIaims
Need Of Conserving COun-
ty's Resources.
REPORT OF NATIONAL
CONSERVATION COMMISSION

VOssO.usHssOss ~u"iss's0OsOis
In Sending II to Congress Executive
Declares Facts Contained In Docu-
ment Constitute an Imperative Call
to Action-"Permanent Welfare OF
Our People Cannot Exist Save on a
Firm Foundation of Material Well
Beins"-He Defends General Course
of His Administration.
Washington. Jan. %. - President
message transmitting the report of the
national conservation commission. He
prefaces the report with his own com
ment, stating in vigorous terms his
conviction that immediate action is
needed If the rightful heritage of pos
terity in natural resources is to be pre-
served
The message says:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
l transmit herewith report of the
national conservation commission, to
gether with the accompanying papers
This report, which is the outgrowtt
of the conference of governors last
May, was unanimously approved by
the recent joint conference held in this
city between the national conServa
ton commission and governors OF
states, state conservation commissions
and conservation committees of grea
organizations of citizens. 1t is there
fore in a peculiar sense representative
of the whole nation and all its parts.
With the statements and conclusion!
of this report heartily concur, and
commend 1t to the thoughtful considera
ton both of the congress and of ou
people generally. 1t is one Of the mos
fundamentally important document
ever laid before the American people
1t contains the first inventory of it
natural resources ever made by an.
nation. In condensed form it present.
a statement of our available capital II
| material resources, which are th
| means of progress, and calls attention
| to the essential conditions upon whicl
the perpetuity, safety and welfare o
this nation now rest and must Away
continue to rest. 1t deserves and shoul'
have the widest possible distribution
among the people.
The facts set forth In this repor
constitute an imperative call to action
The situation they disclose demand
| that we, neglecting for a time, If nee'
be, smaller and less vital questions
shall concentrate an effective part o
our attention upon the great materia
foundations of national existence, prog
ress and prosperity.
Immediate Action Needed.
This first inventory Of natural re
sources prepared by the national con
servation commission Is undoubtedly
but the beginning of a series whicl
will be indispensable for dealing intel
| ligently with what we have. 1t SUP
plies as close an approximation to tn
| actual facts as 1t was possible to pre-
pare with the knowledge and tim
| available The progress of our knowl
| edge Of this country will continual,
| lead to more accurate information an,
| better use of the sources of nationa
strength. But we cannot defer actio'
until complete accuracy In the est
| mates can be reached, because befor
that time many of our resources wi
be practically gone. 1t Is not neces
sary that this inventory should be eS
act In every minute detail. 1t is esser
| tial that it should correctly describ
| the general situation and that tn
present inventory does. AS 1t stand
1t is an irrefutable proof that the cor
servation Of our resources Is the fur
damental question before this natio
and that our first and greatest task
to set our house in order and begin t
live within our means.
The first Of all considerations Is th
permanent welfare Of our people, an
true moral welfare, the highest forr
Of welfare, cannot permanently exif
save on a firm and lasting foundatio
OF material well being. In this RI
spect our situation is far from satis
factory. After every possible allow
ance has been made and when ever
hopeful indication has been given II
full weight the facts still give reaso
for grave concern. 1t would be III
worthy Of our history and our INTEL
gence and disastrous to our future
shut our eyes to these facts or attemI
to laugh them out Of court. The PEI
pie should and will rightly deman
that the great fundamental question
shall be given attention by their repr
sentatives. / do not advise hasty
Ill considered action on dispute
points, but do urge, where the fac
are known, where the public interel
II clear, that neither Indifference an
ASnr<ia nor adverse private inter0S