Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-01-22
PRESERVE NAT
URAL RESOURCES
subject Of Presidents Special Mes
sage to Congress Today

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 22.-
...,dept Roosevelt today transmit
i 10 congress the report Of the Ma
.,d Conservatism commission to-
,,hsr with the following spec
message giving his recon-
..sdations and ideas before the
.mmission and the support OF
AIN it is deserving by the nation
government;
Special Message.
10 the Senate and House of Repre-
.utstiyes-I transmit herewith re-
III Of the National Conservation
lommission, together with the ac-
omOanying papers. This report.
beh is the outgrowth of the confer
Dee Of governors last May, was unan-
mously approved by the recent joint
oniereuce held in this city between
" National Conservation Commits
IN and governors of states, state
observation commissions, and con-
sration committees of great organ
,,tons of citizens. 1t is therefore in
peeuliar sense representative of the
.hole nation and all it's parts.
with the statements and conclu-
ious Of this report / heartily concur,
nd | commend it to the Thoughtful
.opsideration both of the congress
ID Of our people generally. 1t is one
the most fundamentally important
Ocuments ever laid before the Amer
can people. 1t contains the first in
entOry of it's natural resources ever
made BY any nation. In condensed
orm it presents a statement of our
valuable capital in material resourc-
which are the means Of progress,
nd calls attention to the essential
dnditiops upon which the perpetui-
!, safety and welfare of this nation
bow rest and must always continue
% rest. 1t deserves, and should have,
be widest possible distribution among
be people.
The facts set forth in this report
constitute an imperative call to &C.
tIon The situation they disclose de-
mands that we, neglecting for a time,
L need be, smaller and less vital Ques-
tons, shall concentrate an effective
part Of cur attention upon the great
material foundations of national ex-
silence, progress, and prosperity.
This first inventory of natural re-
sources prepared by the National Con-
Sefvation Commission is undoubtedly
but the beginning of a series which
viii be indispensable for dealing in
diligently with what we have. II
supplies as close an approximation to
he actual facts as it was possible to
prepare with the knowledge and time
AVAILABLE. The progress of our know
ledge of this country will continually
cad to more accurate information and
better use of the sources of national
strength. But we can not defer &C
hoa until complete accuracy in the
Slmates can be reached. because be-
iofe that time many of our resources
VII be practically gone. 1t is not
aecessary that this inventory should
e exact in every minute detail. 1t is
ssential that it should correctly de
Nfloe the general situation; and that
'ae present inventory does. AS II
sands it is an irrefutable proof that
e conservation of our resources is
1e fundamental question before the
-aion, and that our first and greatest
.1sH Is to set our house in order anc
syn to live within our means.
me first of all considerations i!
- permanent welfare of our people
~ rne moral welfare, the highes
''ln Of welfare. can not permanent!
~ save On a firm and lasting foun
--''oh OF material well-being. In thi'
-Pset our situation is far from sat
0fy After every possible allow
- mas been made. and when ever!
stai Indication has been given 1t!
- Weight. the facts still give rea
nor grave concern. 1t would b.
fIhy of our history and our in
senee, and disastrous to our flu
70 shut our eyes to these fact
-s'hpt to laugh them out of court
people should and will right,
-. 10 that the great fundamental
Oh shall be given attention b,
representatives. do not ad
1as1y or ill-eonsidered action Of
'eo points, b do urge, wher
'ae's are known. where the publ