The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-09-19
A NEW SOCIETY
Speculation as to Its Purpose-Is 1t to
Supplement Forestry Associations?

The Picayune's correspondent writing
from Washisgton September 10 says;
Great significance is attached here to-
day to the announcement from Chicago
of the formation of the National Con-
servation Association, with Charles w.
Eliot ex-president of Harvard Univer-
sity, as president Friends of conser-
vation interpret the launching of the
new organization to mean that ma
tional organization of the widest pos
sible membership and the greatest pos
sible scope is to supplant the American
Forestry Association in administration
favor as the educational branch of the
conservation movement Just why the
old organization with its magazine and
other facilities for publicity is to be sup
planted at this time, is a matter of con-
siderable speculation here. The suppo-
sition is that Dr. Eliot, who IS a vice
president of the American Forestry AS
sociation, would not consent to become
president of rival organization unless
he was satisfied that the American For
estry Association could not, or would
not, take up the conservation hight on
the broadest possible lines.
1t will be recalled that previous to the
election last fall Walter L, Fisher, who
makes the announcement of the new or
oanization, was induced by President
Roosevelt to form the Conservation
League of America, body composed OF
affiliated organizations working for con-
servation in general. The American
Forestry Association is included among
its membership 1t was the purpose OF
| this organization to enter the political
field and secure pledges from candidates
to Congress to support the Roosevelt
policies of conservation, including a
battle against the water power monop-
oily. This organization succeeded IN
pledging about one-third of the cand1-
dates for Congress to this platform
/ After the campaign was over, 1t ap-
peared to its promoters that an organ1-
zation of individuals rather than con-
so1idation of organizations would better
serve the purpose aimed at. Therefore,
work was quietly begun on such an or
j ganization, the elimination of which IS
/ Mr.. Fishers announcement.
While, as indicated, the American
/ Forestry Association which previously
i numbered among its membership
board of directors wholly friendly to al
i Roosevelt conservation policies, and at
tempting, in a way, to support them
publicly, has had the conservation felc
to itself. Within more recent months
a mysterious subtle influence has, appar-
emily, succeeded in Withholding cor.
dial support of some of the Roosevelt
policies, including that toward its water
power monopoly Whether this lntiu
: ence is responsible for the new organl
zation, is not conclusively established
but the presumption is that it was ont
of the underlying factors.
Recently the American Forestry Asso
citation has quit alternating, and i
showing renewed signs of life. The pre-
sumption is that it will not Willingly
yield the conservation field to the new
organization if it can help it. Inasmuch
however, as the President is an honorary
member of the Conservation Leagu'
which is the sponsor of the new organi
cation, it is believed here he will accep
its declaration of principles, includinl
: that relating to water power.