The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1909-01-22
The Presidents Message Pro
claims Need. Of Conserv-
ing Country's Resources.
\ CALL to- ACTION
Permanent Welfare of PEG.
pie Can Not Exist Save on
a Firm Foundation.

I
washington, Jan. %. : President
Roosevelt sent TO congress today
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 IL the rightful heritage of pos.
terlty in natural resources is to be pre-
served.
The message says:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiyes:
transmit herewith report Of the
national conservation commission, kto.
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 peculiar sense representative
of the whole nation and all its parts.
With the statements and conclusions
Of this report heartily concur, and /
commend it to the thoughtful considera-
ton both Of the congress and of our
people generally. tits one Of the most
fundamentally inipprtant documents
ever laid before the American people.
1t contains the first inventory of its
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 deservesland 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, il 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.
Immediate Action Needed.
This first inventory Of natural re-
sources prepared by the national con-
servation commission is undoubtedly
but the beginning Of series which
will be Indispensable for dealing intel
Iigently with what we have. 1t sup
plies as close an approximation to the
actual facts as 1t was possible to pre-
pare with the knowledge and time
| available. The progress of our kpowl-
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-
mates can be reached. because before
that time many Of our resources will
be practically gone. 1t is not neccs-
sary that this inventory should be ex-
act in every minute detail. 1t is essen
tial that It should correctly describe
the general situation and that the
present inventory does. AS it stands
It is an irrcfutable 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 to
live within our means.
The first Of all considerations is the
I'll ,.o,.A ..,aEAnrn ~ otIY. y,o.wIn NJ
true moral welfare, the highest form
of welfare, cannot permanently exist
save on a firm and lasting foundation
Of material we'll being. In this re-
spect our situation is far from satls-
factory. After every possible allow
: ance has been made and when every
hopeful Indication has been given its
( full weight the facts still give reason
for grave concern. 1t would be un-
worthy Of our history and our intelIi-
: 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 viii rightly demand
that the great fundamental questions
shall be given attention by their repre-.
sentatives. I do not advise ha7ty or
I'll considered action on dis outed
points, but do urge, where the facts
are known, where the public interest
: is clear, that neither Indifference and
= inertia nor adverse private interests
= shan be. allowed to stand in the way
Of the public good