The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-02
FIRST CONGRESS FOR CONSERVATION Will Be Held At Seattle Au-
 gust 26 AN IMPORTANT GATHERING Meeting Will Be Under the Auspices of Washington Conservation Asso-
 ociation-Prominent Men
 Will Be Present.
AN IMPORTANT GATHERING

Washington, August 1.-(special.) 1.-The first National Conservation congress of the United States will be held under the auspices of the Washington Conservation association, and in connection with the Alaska Yukon-Pacific exposition, Seattle, Wash, August 26 27, 2S 1909. The con- gress promises to be the largest and most important gathering of eminent men since the inauguration of the conserva- tion movement. It will be national in ev- cry respect, and the results of the con gress will probably form the foundation for international resolutions, as the meet ing will no doubt select delegates to represent the United States at the Con servation conference to be held at The Hague during the coming autumn, where the problems of conserving the natural resources of the entire civilized world will be considered.
 Conservation combines an educational and financial campaign for preserving. protecting and perpetuating the income producers of land and water. It includes irrigation, water, forestry mining, farm- ing, good roads and other means for transportation, pure food and public morals as some of the definite topics for discussion. Those subjects will be handled at the first National Conversation con- gross by practical men who understand the necessities of the present and the requirements of the future.
 The consideration of conservation has passed the academic stage and reached the plane of commercial activity where it demands a practical solution.
 How to utilize the remaining natural resources of our country in order to in- sure present and future industrial pros perity without endangering any of the legitimate channels of trade. Is an im- portant question This should come be- fore the people in a national convention, for an exchange of matured ideas, and calls for immediate action.
 The man with money desires to place it where an income may ta certain re- eardless of changing polit conditions The investor must have 4s assurance that the natural resources of a commun- ity will not he wasted in the coming quarter of century before he purchases 2o-vear improvement bonds, of a munich paity
 Practical conservation is financial question requiring a financial solution Waste has entered into the various ave- nues of the life of the nation. state. coun- ty and city, and penetrated the homes of the common people-the producers of wealth. Extravagance has characterized the utilization of the gifts of nature in forest, stream and field and the natural laws-applcable everywhere-indicate re- suits in the payment of penalties. If nature is robbed of her products without annual remuneration she becomes non productive in a few years, and all her subjects in the industrial and financial world suffer.
 The first national conservation congress will consist of men of national reputa- tion, drawn from the different fields of thought and industry. More than 10000 prominent individuals, representing the nation, state. city and country of aetivi- ty, have been invited to participate in the congress. Many of our leading men have written letters of acceptance and an- nounced their intention of being present at every session of the congress Mine sessions are to be held. and the delibera- tions closed with a religious meeting on Sunday, August 29. in which all church dignitaries are to unite and work for practical conservation.
 Among those expected to deliver ad- dresses at the congress are Hon. R. A. Balinger. Secretary of the Interior: F. H. Newell of the reclamation service, Clifford Pinchot, chairman of the joint committee on conservation between states and nation; Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee institute Howard Elliott, presi- dent of the Northern Pacific Railway company; James J. Hill, the great railroad builder and western pioneer of develop ment, and numerous others from various sections of the United States.
 About 70 colleges and universities will be represented by their respective presi- dents and delegates, and at least four times as many commercial and civic or ganizations. The governors of many states and their conservation commis- sions are expected to be present, and many will deliver addresses.
 The magnitude and importance of the conservation movement is so great that delegates are to be present from the Ha waian islands and from Alaska Hon. H. T. Freer, governor of Hawaii, and Ralph P. Hosmer, chairman of the con- servation commission, will represent the Islands.
 South Carolina and Texas are sending delegates to the congress.
 There is something more than mere sem timent behind the movement that arouses the people of the nation to such con certed action. Everywhere the object les sons of useless waste have impressed the financial student with the fact that a check must be made in the downward course to financial bankruptcy It is the time for reforesting the hills. restocking the waters, and rep1enishing the soil ele- ments, in order that financial prosperity may continue throughout the coming years.