The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-08-20
CONSERVING THE LANDMARKS.

The FiTstNational Conservation Con
gress of the United States, which will
be held in the Auditorium of the Alaska
Yukon Pacific Exposition, under direc-
ton of the Washington Conservation
Association, will mark the beginning OF
new era in the history making. That
Congress will occupy the attention OF
several thousand men for three days,
the dates being set for August 20, q
and 2s. During that time eight SEES
sions will be held, and ninth one will
be called on the Sunday following, by
the church people in attendance. The
Congress promises to be the largest con
vention of eminent men ever assembled
on the Pacific Coast.
Conserving the landmarks is one OF
the important works delegated to the
human family. 1t is not enough that
man may live and enjoy life for a
number of years without disturbing the
quietude of his next door neighbor. His
success will be measured by that which
he accomplishes for himself and for his
family, and for the community of which
he is a part Man cannot live the al
lotted time without doing some good or
harm to Others with whom he associa-
ties.
In Japan, the man who plants a tree
for future generations is regarded as a
philanthropist. In America, the man
who conserves natural landmarks for
coming people should be honored in life
and have a public monument to mark his
grave.
1t is the plan of the conservationists
to protect the works of nature and de
liver them into the hands of coming gen
erations without material deterioration
because of use throughout any genera
ton.
The one problem OF more than ordi-
nary interest is how to use the natural
products of the soil, water, climate and
transportation to the end that the ut,
most benefit may be derived today with
out endangering the sources of income
in the future. The modern conserva-
zionist desires to have that problem
solved to his complete satisfaction, in
order that life may be more worth the
living and that men who come after may
bless his name.
The Washington Conservation Asso-
citation has undertaken the great work
of calling together the best thinkers of
the age to discuss the plans to pursue
to insure the greatest use of natural re-
sources for the benefit of the greatest
number of people. For that purpose
such men as President William H. Taft
Hon. r. A. Ballinger Secretary of the
interior; Clifford Pinchot, Chief Fores-
ter; RI Rev. j. B, Funston, Bishop OF
Idaho; Ri Rev Robert L. Paddock, OF
Oregon; Ri. Rev. Lemuel H. Wells, OF
Trinity College, and many governors
members of Conservation Commissions
Mayors of cities, and representatives Of
commercial and civic organizations have
been invited to participate in the work
of the First National Conservation Con
gress.
The spirit of extravaganza has con.
tributed to the work of destruction in
wasting the natural resources and tear
ing down the old landmarks. A portion
of the forests is needlessly cut away
without the proper return to many who
do not stop to consider the effect ON
future families who will seek for the
shelter and the protection of those gifts
of nature.
1t is necessary that a campaign OF
education be carried on through the me-
dunn of conservation organizations, to
devise ways and means for reforesting
the logged off lands not suitable for
agricultural or horticultural purposes,
in order that there may be an abundance
of water and timber for future years
This applies with equal force to the con-
servation of soil and its elements of fer
tility, and to all other gifts OF nature
intended to benefit the human family.
1t is time to call a halt to the progress
of destruction by waste that knows not
how to properly utilize the gifts OF ma
l. - So
paign for better things in the handling
of the gifts of land and water.
The natural scenery should be con-
served to gladden. the eyes of those who
will occupy the country in the future.
There is plenty of all that nature be
slows upon humanity for the remaining
years of time in the Great State of
Washington if that which now exists
is properly handled and rightly used.
Now is the time for action along lines
Of conservation. A few more years of
extravaganza in the use of natural re-
sources and there will be nothing left to
conserve. The work devolves upon the
present generation, and the conserva-
tionists desire to have every man do
his part in the great labor of protecting,
conserving and perpetuating natural re-
sources.
The inhabitants of Washington have
much to conserve. The land is rich in
resources. There are mountains of