The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-27
National Conservation Ass0cia-
tiOn Is Ready for Business.
Offices Are Opened i'm New York
and Washington.
DIR. ELIOT ATITS HEAD
Vigorous Campaign to Be In
augurated at Once.
President Taft Asks to Be En-
rolled as a Member.

New York, Oct. 27.-Nation-wide in
its scope and backed with the enthu-
siastic endorsement of President Taft,
a systematic movement to appeal to
the people of the United States for
concerted action in preserving the
natural resources of the country was
launched here today.
The national conservation associa-
ton, with offices here, and in Wash
1ngton, will carry on the proposed
vigorous campaign under the leader
ship of DR.. Charles w. Eliot, president
emeritus of Harvard university.
This association is to advocate ad-
ministrative measures by the states
and by the federal government of the
conservation principles adopted by
the governors of the United States at
their conference with the president at
the White House in May, 1908.
The association includes among it's
officers and membership some of the
most prominent men of affairs in the
country.
General. offices were opened today
in the Fifth avenue building in this
city, where it was announced that the
association already had its organiza-
ton well under way and that applica-
tions for mem bership were pouring in
from all parts of the country. 1t is
said that as the work of the organiZa-
AlOli dQN ol1lCSS, DIdlCIl OlllCSS w O0
established in different sections. DR..
Eliot is personally directing the work
of the association, and the member
ship which is open to every Ameri
can citizen, is expected to reach into
the hundreds Of thousands.
The Officers.
The officers of the association are:
President-Dr. Chas. w. Eliot, of
Cam bridge, Mass.
Vice President-Walter T.. Fisher of
Chicago.
Secretary-Thomas r. Shipp, of
Indianapolis. Ind. who was secretary
of the White House conference of the
governors and secretary of the nation
al conservatism committee.
The chairman of the executive COM
mittee is John F. Bass of Chicago.
President Taft in a letter made pub
lie today says:
Our people cannot do a more usefu.
thing for themselves and for pOSterity
than to give personal consideration to
the great issues involved in what we
have come to call the conservation
movement. It is of the greatest i'm
portance that this movement should
proceed both wisely and effectively and
should be a valuable instrumentality
for accomplishing these results. I shall
be glad to have you enroll my name in
its membership"
Purposes Set Forth.
The purpose of the association, after
reference is made to the principles
enunciated by the conference of gov
ernors with President Roosevelt is thus
set forth:
I'VE, therefore, form this association
to advocate and support the adoption
by the people themselves and by their
representatives of definite and practical
measures to carry the foregoing prin-
ciples into effect and to oppose in all
appropriate ways all action which is in
conflict with these principles, whether
such action is attempted by individual
citizens. members of legislatures or ad-
ministrative officials
Amon~ the most important measures
advocated by the association in the
general conservation scheme which in
cludes the forests, waters. lands, and
minerals is that relating to water pow
er rights.
The association also declares that It
desires to further all legislation de-
signed to diminish sickness, prevent ac-
cidents and premature death, for the
increase of the comfort and joy of
American life, believing that human eff
ficiency. health and happiness and nat
uraI resources as important as forests,
waters lands and minerals.