The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-18

Declaring in emphatic terms that all
personal differences should be forgotten
and the present controversy entirely dis
regarded, Clifford Pinchot, in stirring
address which he delivered at the second
session Of the conference on uniform legis-
lation called BY the National Civic Fed
Grafton. at the Arlington Hotel yesterday
afternoon, urged all friends Of the con
servation movement to put forth their
best endeavors in the cause, and espe-
cially TO urge Congress TO act at once on
the recommendations made by President
Taft.
There was an outburst Of applause when
Mr.. Pinchot appeared on the platform,
and he was compelled 10 wait several
moments before he could begin, so hearty
was the demonstration. He spoke calmly.
but there was an earnestness about him
that led the delegates to interrupt several
times with applause
PinchOt's Address.
He said, in part:
"The policies now grouped under the
name Of conservation are Of various ages.
Some. like forest preservation, have been
advocated by Americans for more than
100 years. Some. like the control Of water
power monopoly in the common interest.
are younger than the present century.
"All Of them to-day are in the valley
OF decision. We have come at last TO
the point Of action. and we must either
so forward or fall back
Here is a mighty field for uniform ac-
ton and for cooperation between the
States themselves. and between them and
the nation.
These conservation questions are to-
day the oveTshadowiHg problems beIore
the States and before all the people. How
they are settled viii affect every man
now alive and every citizen Of this nation
as long as 1t shall endure.
Public sentiment is prepared and
awake For the second time a President
of the United States has indorsed these
principles in a message 10 Congress.
Most OF the recommendations which the
recent message contains are well known
TO the friends OF conservation and well
approved. If it has omissions or pass
ages with which I disagree. I have no
concern with them to-day. Specific bills
have been prepared embodying the rec
concentrations Of the message, When
they are made public, they viii be the
Legitimate subjects for approval or crit
cism, and for careful scrutiny at every
stage Of their progress.
Echoes Tafts Desire.
All that VIII come in It's proper time
and place. To-day the first considera-
ton is this-that the friends Of conserva-
ton must not be divided. The issues az
stake far transcend every personal ques-
ton. The plain duty OF all the friends
of conservation is to sink their differ
enceS. 10 unite on essentials, and 20 de-
mand. with a unanimous voice. that Con-
gress shall act on the Presidents recon-
mendatious, and act wisely and without
delay.
The President urges that the measures
he recommends shall be taken up and
disposed Of promptly, without awaiting
the investigation which has been deter
mined upon. I echo his desire
"Our duty is clear 10 look beyond and
above all lesser strife in common effort
to reach objects of such transcendent i'm
portanee TO all the people Now is the
time for all good men 10 come to the
help of the conservation movement, with
out regard 10 party. or prejudice. or any
personal consideration whatsoever. The
public good comes first"
DIR. McGee Talks.
DR.. W ] McGee. of the National Con-
sergation Commission, followed Mr.. Pin
chot. his subject being Uniform laws
relating TO the use Of water" He thought
water should be regarded as the funda-
mental natural resource.
Forest conservation and taxation" was
discussed by Charles L. Pack, Of New
Jersey, who said the entire question
should be kept free from politics.
Judge Parker, after calling the session
to order. introduced as the first speaker
Walter George Smith, president OF the
National Conference Of Commissioners
on Uniform State Laws, who delivered
long address on Uniformity OF legisla-
ton"
Life Insurance Law.
The desirability Of uniform laws re-
garding life insurance was then taken up.
the discussion being opened by Thomas
T. Drake, superintendent OF insurance OF
the District Of Columbia He said, in
part:
"The general principles and rules which
should underlie insurance are the same.
and when enacted into law should be the
same, unless where in some locality ma
terialy different conditions call for dif-
ferent methods.
IF Congress would enact a general in
surance code or law for the District OF
Columbia covering generally and IN de-
tail everything respecting insurance and
insurance companies that need be the
subject Of legislation, thus making a
model insurance code or law. Il would DO
easy for the different States. with such
changes as are necessary TO its applica-
ton TO the State. 70 enact the same
The question is as to what is the best
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