The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-25
TAFT Will DEFEND
ALASKAN POLICY
Great Interest in Forthcoming
Address Before Conserva-
ton Congress.
SESSIONS WILL OPEN TO-DAY
Prominent Men of Widely Diver
gent Political Opinions
Will Take Part.

Kansas City, Mo-, September 24.-
The nearness OF the 1912 presidential
Campaign the attitude of the admin
istration on the conservation ques-
ton, especially in Alaska. as po-
ntical issue. and President Taft's an
nouncement that he would defend the
governments Alaskan policy before
the convention. are the causes of much
anticipatory excitement among the
many prominent men gathered here to
attend the three days sessions OF the
Third National Conservation Congress,
which opens at Convention Hall to-
morrow. President Taft's address is
scheduled for tomorrow night.
The data for the Presidents defense
OF his national conservation policy has
been gathered by Secretary OF Interior
Walter Fisher in the course of an ex-
tensive trip through the much mooted
Alaskan coal fields, where he made a
iirst-hand study OF the situation. with
"a view OF advising the Chief Executive
as to the actual conditions in the Ter
ritory.
CLIFFORD Pinchot. former Chief For
ester. and President OF the National
Conservation Assoc alton, was also ex-
pected 10 deliver an address, but he liz
in Alaska making q study Of the coal
land situation
Aside from the political slgniHcance
that attaches itself to the convention
by reason Of the attendance OF men of
ouch widely divergent political opin-
ions as President TAFT woodrow VII
son. Bryan. Champ Clark ell al. Its de-
alterations WIN prove OF great beneht
10 those engaged in agriculture In the
United States by reason of the scien-
tiiic farming experts that have accept
ci President Wallace's invitation to
speak before the convention.
Objects OF Convention.
The primary objects of the National
Conservation Congress are: To pro-
vide for the discussion Of the resources
of the United States as the foundation
for tho prosperity OF the people. 10
furnish definite information concerning
the resources and their development,
use and preservation. and to form an
agency through which the people OF
the country can frame policies affect
ing the conservation and utilization
OK their resources. To embody the
ideas OF people in the different sec
lions Of the country. President Wal
lace has secured many prominent ag-
riculturists from the various State
agricultural colleges, who, together
with metallurgists OF note, Will speak
upon the vital issues of their particu-
lar balliwicks.
Particular attention will be paid to
the reclanla ton OF the soil, co-opera-
tion among farmers. the postal service
and railroads the health of the people
live stock and good roads Each OF
these topics will be the subject OF
speeches by experts. Herbert Quick.
editor OF the Farm and Fireside, TAX
ing The Farmer and the Railroads:
Joseph l. Bristow. United States Sem
ator from Kansas, The Farmer and
the Postal Service: DR. Frederick 3
Mumford. the subject OF Live Stock
and Sol! Fertility; while Curtis Hill.
or jefferson City. No: w A. Beard.
OF sacramento, Cal. and Dr.. Walter
Page, OF New York. deal with What
Good Roads Do for the Farmer" "Co-
operation Among Farmers" and The
Country School"
\ novel feature of the farm phase
Of the Conservation Congress will be
an address by Mrs Harriet Wallace
.Ashby, Of Des Moines. Ia. on The
Farmers Wife" Mrs. Ashby will deal
with the social status of the farmers
Wife. her daily life. and the advan-
tages and disadvantages OF rural life
for women.
A further innovation from the rou-
tine discussions OF the congress Will
be the address OF DR.. Warren H. VIII
son. superintendent OF the Board OF
Home Missions OF the Presbyterian
Church, New York, on The Country
Church" The object of this address
VIII be an exposition OF social life in
rural communities, with a view to dis
sipatins the popular belief that farm