The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-22
President Roosevelt Sends Spe-
cial Message to Congress
Endorsing Report of the Con-
servatiOn Commission.
CALL To ACTION
lis Made by Facts Set Forth in
the Report.
1t Is But the Beginning of
Others He Says.

Washington, jan 22.-President
Roosevelt today transmitted to con-
gress the report of the national con-
servation commission with a special
message bearing thereon. The mes
sage follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentativeS:
I transmit herewith a report of the
national conservation commission, to-
gether with the accompanying papers.
This report, which is the outgrowth OF
the conference of governors last May,
was unanimously approved by the re-
cent joint conference held in TINS city
between the national conservation
commission and governors of states,
state conservation commissions, and
conservation committees of great or
CARNATIONS of citizens. It is therefore
in peculiar sense representative or
the whole nation and all its parts.
With the statements and conclu-
sions of this report 1 heartily concur,
and I commend it to the thoughtful
consideration both of the congress and
of our people generally. 1t is one of
the most fundamentally important
documents ever laid before the Amer
lean people. 1t contains the first in
ventory of its natural resources ever
made by any nation. In condensed
form it presents a statement of our
available capital in material resources,
which are the means of progress, and
calls attention to the essential condi-
tfons upon which the perpetuity, safe
ty, and welfare of this nation now rest
and must always continue to rest. 1t
deserves, and should have, the wild
est possible distribution among the peo-
pie.
The facts set forth in this report
constitute an imperative call to action,
The situation they disclose demands
that we, neglecting for time, if need
be, smaller and less vital questions,
shall concentrate an effective part of
our attention upon the great material
foundations of national existence, pro-
gress and prosperity.
But the Beginning.
The first inventory of natural re-
sources prepared by the national con-
servation commission is undoubtedly
but the beginning of series which
will be indispensable for dealing in
telligently with what We have. 1t sup
plies as close an approximation to the
actual facts as it was possible to pre-
pare with the knowledge and time
available. The progress of our know
ledge of this country will continually
lead to more accurate information and
better use of the sources of national
strength. But we can not defer action
until complete accuracy in the esti-
mates can be reached, because before
that time many of our resources will
be practically gone. 1t is not necessary
that this inventory should be exact in
IL.
that it should correctly describe the
general situation; and that the pres
ent inventory does. AS it stands it is
an irrefutable proof that the conserva-
ton of our resources is the fundamen-
tai question before this nation, and
that our first and greatest task is to set
our house in order and begin to live
within our means.
The first of all considerations is the
permanent welfare of our people; and
true moral welfare, the highest form
OF welfare, can not permanently exist
save On firm and lasting foundation
of material well-being. In this respect
our situation is far from satisfactory.
After every possible allowance has
been made, and when every hopeful
Indication has been given it's full
weight, the facts still give reason for
grave concern. 1t would be unworthy
OF our history and our intelligence.
and disastrous to our future. to shut
OUR eyes to these facts or attempt to
laugh them out Of court. The people
should and will rightly demand that
the great fundamental questions shall |
be given attention by their representa-,
tiveS. do not advise hasty or ill-con-
eIdered action on disputed points, but
I do urge, where the facts are known
where the public interest is clear, that
neither indifference and inertia. nor |
adverse private interests shall be al |
lowed to stand in the way of the pub |
lie good.
The great basic facts are already
we'll known. We know that our
population is now adding about one
fifth to its numbers in ten years, and
that by the middle of the present CEN
tury perhaps one hundred and fifty
million Americans, and by it's end very
many millions more. must be fed and
clothed from the products of our soil. |
With the steady growth in population
and the still more rapid increase in
consumption our people will hereafter
make greater and not less demands
w1fk all
sources for their livelihood comfort
and convenience. 1t is high time to
realize that our responsibility to the
coming millions is like that of par