The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-11-18
EVERY STATE IS REPRESENTED
President Wilson Favors Nationa,
Control of Resources
WILL DISCUSS MANY PHASES

washington, -. G., Nov. lS.-ln view
of the generally recognized fact that
the conservation problem mas reached
critical stage in it's development the
NTH national conservation congress,
which convened here today for a ses-
sion extending over three days, prom
ishs To be the most important ever
held IN this country. Every state in the
union is represented by delegates ap-
pointed by tn" respective governors
and in addition To their number there
are many other delegates represent ng
state ana rational organizations in
some way interested In The subject Of
the conservation of the national
resources.
The address of Charles L. Pack. of
Indiana, president of the congress, At
the opening session today clearly
pointed out that the conservation
movement is facing at present its
greatest danger in the opposition 10
the federal control of the national re-
sources, which is active in many states
Certain corporations and private inter
ests have started n movement to re-
move conservation from the control If
the federal government ana to trans
Ter il To the state governments and il
seems that for purely selfish reasons.
many members of state legislatures
strongly favor the plan and are De-.
termincd Ia make strong tight, bas-
ing their opposition upon their inter
pretation of the principle OF states
rights. The real motive however, On
the pant of the timber and waterpower
interests and of the legislators work.
ing hand in hand with them Las noth-
ing to do with the sovereign rights Of
the states. The big timber and water
power interests, realizing the difficulty
of obtaining concessions from the fed.
cral government, want the forest AMI
water conservation removed from the
control of the national government, be-
lieving that il will he easier fer them
10 obtain what they wan; from the
The legislatures favor the plan which
would open the door to extensive
opportunities.
National Control of Resources.
President Wilson, who delivered an
address on the occasion of the OPEN
ing of the congress. strongly favors
national control of the natural re-
sources of the country and it is evil
dent that he will lend his fun support !
To- the conservation congress in its
fight against the opposing clements. |
one of the problems To be considered |
by the congress is the question of |
more strongly and better organize tie
rational conservation NOV men |
throughout the country SO as to es- '
lablish perfect harmony in the work.
The congress this year will revert |
to the consideration principally Of |
forestry and water power biects. At
the first meeting of the conservation
congress at Seattle, in 1909. these sub
iects were taken up. When the Sec
Jnd congress met at st. Pau. the fol-
lowing year, the public land question
was the principal issue. The Kansas
city meeting in 1911. was devoted TO
he subject of soil fertility, aad hu-
man life and vital resources were the
issues of the convention at Indianapo-
is last year. At the session begun to-
lay the congress will revert to the
power questions.
In connection with the congress an
exhibition is held under the auspices
# the National Conservation associa-
ion and of the department of agricul-
urc. which shows by photographs,
maps, models ana actual objects and
appliances the various methods used
n guarding the great national forest
'eserves, preventing forest fires, ie-
moving dead timber, protecting wild
,ame, etc. Special exhibits will show
scenes on the great grazing rescrva-
ions I'm the west, which are growing
II greater importance every year.
Consider More Grazing Lands.
The question of increasing the area
# the grazing lands under the :on-
rol of the national government Will
ome up for consideration during this
congress- and among those VINO will
leliver addresses upon thac subject ]
nd will take part in The debates will ,
e Franklin X. Lane. secretary of the ,
Interior: David T.. Houston, secretary
( agriculture; Lindley VI. Garrison.
ecretary of war, Senators Burton. ,
iewlands and Hoke Smith and prob
bly, other government ofli' i'iels. The II
uestion Of rural credits will also 1
orm the subject Of discussion at ono !
{ the sessions and will be discussed {