Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-23
Report Approved

In his message, the president said:
transmit herewith report of the national
conservation commission This report, which
is the outgrowth of the conference of gov
ernors last May, was unanimously approved
by the recent joint conference held in this
city between the national conservation COM
mission and governors of states, state con-
servation commissions, and conservation COM
mittees of great organizations of citizens. 1t
is therefore in peculiar sense representative
of the whole nation.
The facts set forth in this report consti-
tute imperative call to action. The situa-
tion they disclose demands that we, neg
lecting 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, progress and
prosperity.
once exhausted are gone forever, and that the
needless waste of them costs hundreds of
human lives and nearly $500, ,000 900 a year.
Therefore, let us undertake without delay the
Investigations necessary before our people will
be in position, through state action or other
wise, to put an end to this huge loss and
and the lives of the men who take them from
the EARTH
Fundamental Rights
The rights to life and liberty are funda-
mental, and like other fundamental necessi-
ties, when once acquired, they are little
dwelt upon. The right to the pursuit of hap
piness is the right whose presence or absence
is most likely to be felt IN daily life. In
Whatever II mas accomplished, failed to
accomplish, the administration which is just
drawing to a close has at least seen clearly
the fundamental need of freedom Of opportun-
ity for every citizen. We have realized that
the right of every man to live his life
provide for his family, and endeavor accord
ing to his abilities, to secure for himself and
for them fair share of the good things of
existence, should be subject to Limitation
and to other. The freedom of the individual
should be limited only by the present and
future rights, interests and needs of the other
Ifxr57r l-
should do all in our power to develop and
protect individual liberty, individual initia-
tive, but subject always to the need of pre-
serving and promoting the general good. When
necessary, the private right must YIELD under
due process of law and with proper compen-
sation, to the welfare of the commonwealth
The man who serves the community greatly
should be greatly rewarded by the communi-
ty; as there is great inequality of service so
there must be great inequality of reward !;
but no man and no set of men should be al
lowed to play the game of competition with
loaded dice.
Common Sense the Solution
All this is simply good common sense. The
underlying principle of conservation has been
described the application of common sense
to common problems for the common good
II the description is correct, then conserva-
tion is the great fundamental basis for ma
tional efficiency. In this stage of the world 5
history, to be fearless, to be just, and to be
efficient are the three great requirements of
suit of natural resources well handled, of free
dom of opportunity for every man, and of the
inherent capacity, trained ability, knowledge
and will, collectively and individually, to use
that opportunity.
The unchecked existence Of monopoly is in
compatible with equality of opportunity. The
reason for the exercise of government control
over great monopolies is to equalize oppor-
tunity. We fighting against privilege. It
made unlawful for corporations to con-
tribute money for election expenses in order
InrfI nI
the polls RaiIroad-rate control is an attempt
to secure equality Of opportunity for all
men affected by rail transportation; and that
means all of us. The great anthracite coal
strike was settled, and the pressing danger of
a coal famine averted because we recognized
that the control of a public necessity involves
vention in the affairs of a public-service cor
poration is neither to be resented as usurpa-
ton nor permitted as a privilege by the cor
poratons, but on the contrary to be accepted
a duty and exercised as a right by the gov
ernment in the interest of all the people.
Naval Increase for Peace
The efficiency of the army and the navy
hsa been increased so that people may
follow in peace the great work Of making this
country a better place for Americans to live
in, and navy sent round the world
for the same ultimate purpose.
All the acts taken by the government dur
ing the last seven years, and all the policies
now being pursued by the government, fit in
as parts of consistent whole.
We building the Panama canal; and
this means that engaged in the giant
engineering feat of all time.
We are striving to add in all ways to the
habitablity and beauty of country.
We are striving to hold in the public hands
the remaining supply of unappropriated coal
for the protection and benefit of all the people
The Rights of Children
We have taken the first steps toward the
conservation of our natural resources, and the
betterment of country life, and the improve
ment of our waterways. We stand for the
right of every child to a childhood free from
grinding toll, and to education: for the
civic responsibility and decency of every citi-
zen; for prudent foresight in public matters
and for fair play in every relation of our ma
tionaI and economic life. In international
matters we apply a system Of diplomacy
which puts the obligations of international
morality level with those that govern
the actions of honest gentleman in dealing
with his fellow Within own border
we stand for truth and honesty in public and
in private life; and sternly against
wrongdoers of every grade. All these efforts
are integral parts Of the same attempt, the
attempt to enthrone justice and Righteousness
to secure freedom of opportunity to all of our
citizens, now and hereafter, and to set the