The Mankato free press., 1909-01-29
Presidents Message Proc|aims
Need Of Conserving Coun-
try'S Resources.
REPORT OF NATIONAL
CONSERVATION COMMISSION

ment Constitute an Imperative Call
to Action-"Permsnent 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
Roosevelt sent TO congress today a
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 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 recent joint conference held i'm this
city between the national conserva-
tiOn commission and governors Of
states, state conservation commissions
ard conservation committees Of great
organizations of citizens. 1t is there
fore in a peculiar sense representative
of the whole nation and all it's parts.
With the statements and conclusions
of this report [ heartily concur, and
commend it 10 the thoughtful considera-
ttOn both of the congress and of our
people generally. 1t is one OF the most
fundamentally important documents
ever laid before the American people.
1t contains the first inventory of it's
natural resources ever made by any
nation. In condensed form it presents
statement of our available capital in
material resources, which are the
means Of progress, and calls attention
to the essential conditions upon which
the perpetuity, safety and welfare of
this nation now rest and must always
continue to rest. 1t deserves and should
have the widest possible distribution
among the people.
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 !
shall concentrate an effective part Of |
our attention upon the great material |
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 which !
viii be indispensable for dealing intel
ligently 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 knowl-
edge Of this country will continually
lead to more accurate information and
better use of the sources of national
strength. But we cannot defer action
until complete accuracy in the esti-
that time many of our resources will
be practically gone. 1t is not neces-
sary that this inventory should be ex-
act In every minute detail. It is essen
tial that it should correctly describe
the general situation and that the
present inventory does. AS it stands
1t IS an irrefutable proof that the con-
servation of our resources is the fun
damental question before this nation
and that our first and greatest task is
TO set our house in order and begin tc
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, cannot permanently exist
save on firm and lasting foundation
of material well being. In this re-
spect our situation is far from salts
factory. After every possible allow
ance 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 un-
worthy of our history and our intelli-
gence and disastrous to our future to
shut our eyes to these facts or attempt
to laugh them out of court The peo-
pie should and will rightly demand
that the great fundamental questions
shall be given attention by their repre-
| do not advise hasty or
III considered action on disputed
points, but do urge. where the facts
ire known. where the public interest
s clear, that neither Indifference and
inertia nor adverse private interests
shall be allowed to stand In the way
If the public coed.
Our Responsibility For the Future.
The great basic facts are already
veil known. We know that our popu-
alton is now adding about one-fifth to
is numbers in ten years and that by
he middle of the present century per,
laps 150,000.000 Americans and by its
nd very many millions more must be
ed and clothed from the products of
'ur soil. With the steady growth in
population and the still more rapid in
rease in consumption our people will
hereafter make greater and not less
demands per capita upon all the natu-
al resources for their livelihood, COM
ort and convenience. 1t Is high time