The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-30
SEEK INFORMATION
ABOUT RESOURCES
Special Agent In Alabama
representing Sage Foundation
INQUIRY FROM CHICAGO
Information Sought BY University of
Chicago For Course In Natural
Resources OF the United
States.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery, January 29-(Special)-A
special agent of the Sage Foundation is
looking into the mountain situations of
Alabama with a view of getting at a
general idea of the conditions in this
class of territory all over the south AT
the same time information is sought by
the University of Chicago for course in
the natural resources of the United States.
with view to giving Alabama the adj
vantage of the best of research and in
vestigation.
The matter has been taken up by DR..
Thomas M. Owen. the director of the
Alabama department of archives and his
tory, who is supplying the information
desired. 1t evidences, the doctor sees
it, a sincere desire to get accurate and
first hand information and will be of
vast benefit to the state If its resources
are fittingly presented. The Chicago
university inquiry came to Gov. B. B..
Conner from Harlan Fl. Bowers and the
Sage Foundation from John c. Camp
bell.
DR.. Owen has sent number of hand
books, directories, report of the geologi-
formation and various other publica-
tions about the matter at interest Boards
of trade and other institutions of this
kind are advised by Dr. Owen to send in
formation so that every part of the
state may be presented. The Sage Foun-
dation man may be reached at Demorest,
Ca, and the Chicago people at the
University of Chicago Alabama men and
vi xyho "a onxflipo IN add To the
line of Information asked will do well
to send it along, thus giving aid to the
general movement as well as that for
helping the state.
The Inquiries Made.
The two letters are given below:
University of Chicago Department of
Geography, Chicago, January 3, 1910.
Gov. Braxton B. Conner. Montgomery. Ala.
My Dear Sir: The department of
geography in the University of Chicago
is preparing to offer soon a course on
the national resources of the United
States, and the current movement to con-
serve them. The course will consider
the relation of natural resources to ma
tional development; the history of the
exploration of the Soils forests, mines.
etc.; reclamation of arid and swamp
lands; the stoppage of arosion: the de-
velopment of scientific forestry; the i'm
provement and extension OF waterways,
the relation of national resources to the
distribution and activities of the people,
and other similar topics, and the con-
servation movement.
The arousing of interest and the spread
ing of information on these subjects
among university students are matters
of such importance that | am writing tc
solicit your cooperation. Have you al
your disposal census or other official re-
ports, pamphlets, maps etc, dealing
with the natural resources or the indus
tries of this state OF which you can fur
nish us copies? Where practicable. the
department would be glad of more than
one copy of relevant papers and reports.
We shall be grateful for assistance OF
this kind. The department will also well
come the names Of other individuals OF
other organizations that could afford sim
liar aid and of important publications
not under your control
Thanking you in advance, l am, very
respectfully.
HARLAN H. BARROWS.