Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1909-01-23
CALLS ON NATION
TO Save ITSELF
Presidents Message ProcIaims
Need Of Conserving Coun-
ty's Resources.
REPORT OF NATIONAL
CONSERVATION COMMISSION

In Sending II to Congress Executive
Declares Facts Contained In Docu-
ment Constitute an Imperative Call
to Acknowledgement Welfare Of
Our People Cannot Exist Save on a
Firm Foundation of Material Well
Being"-He Defends General Course
Of His Administration.
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 rlghtful 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 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 In this
city between the national conserva-
ton commission and governors of
states, state conservation commissions
and conservation committees Of great
organizations of citizens. 1t is there
fore In a peculiar sense representative
Of the whole nation and all its parts.
With the statements and conclusions
of this report heartily concur, and
commend 1t to the thoughtful considera-
ton both of the congress and of our
people generally. 1t is one of the most
fundamentally important documents
ever laid before the American people.
II contains the first inventory of Its
natural resources ever made by any
nation. In condensed form 1t presents
4 statement of our available capital In
material resources, which are the
means Of progress, and calls attention
f. the essential conditions upon which
abe perpetuity. safety and welfare of
Is nation now rest and must always
.'r,ie 10 rcgt. = Ccsc:ces and should
&c 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 a 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, prog
ress and prosperity.
I 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
will be Indispensable for dealing intel
ligently with what we have 1t sup
plies rs. close an approximation to the
actual facts as 1t 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 sour es of national
strength. But we cannot defer action
until complete accuracy in the esti-
mates can be reached. because before
that time many of our resources will
be practically gone It is not neces-
sary that this inventory should be ex-
net IN every minute detail. II is essen
tial that Ii should correctly describe
the general situation and that the
present inventory does. AS 1t stands
Il Is an irrefutable proof that the con
servation of our resources is the fun
iamental question before this nation
md that our first and greatest task Is
o set our house I'm order and begin TO !,
I've within our means.
The first of all considerations is the
'ermanent welfare of our people, and
rue ~aaral welfare. the highest form
( welfare. cannot permanently exist
ave on n firm and lasting foundation
f material well being. In this re-
pect our situation Is far from salts
actory. After every possible allow =
nee has been made and when every
opefuI indication has been given its
MI weight the facts still give reason
Dr. grave concern. 1t would be I'M
-orthy of our history and our intelll-
pnce and disastrous to our future to
,ut our eyes to these facts or attempt
laugh them out Of court. The peo-
10 should and will rightly demand
Nat tne great fundamental questions G
,aII be given attention by their repre- II
.ntatives do not advise hasty or II
considered action on disputed
,ints. but | do urge, where the facts p
e known. where the public interest IL
clear. that neither Indifference and
ertia nor adverse private interests l
,all be allowed to stand In the way u
the public good. .
Our Responsibility For the Future. = =
The great basic facts are already =,
m known. We know that our popu- :,
zion is now adding about one-ffth to :,
numbers I'm ten years and that by >.
q ,ni,dle os the present century per :,
rs Ia. OOO.O 900 Americans and by Its
a very many millions more must be
4 and clothed from the products or
! soil. with the steady growth In sc