Evening star., 1913-11-18
C0NSERVATIONISTS
OPEN CONVENTION
Unanimous Report From Pow
erfuI Water-PoWer Com
mittee Expected.
SHARP FIGHT is DUE
ON FEDERAL POLICIES
James Wilson Pleads That Soil Be
Cared For-State Delegates
Name Officers.

tloh congress embarked upon three
day session this morning a the New
Willard Hotel. with the big ballroom.
where the meetings are being held.
packed with delegates.
While all sorts Of fireworks are
oeing nred off there. the water power
committee Of the organization which
Is TO bring in this afternoon one OF
the important reports of the conven-
ton, is still in disagreement. and in
executive session at the office In the
building of NJ O. Leighton,
who. with Clifford Pinchot. shares the
distinction of representing the District
of Columbia on this powerful commit
tee.
The congress was called to order an
hour earlier than had been intended, as
Sembling DIT 10 o'clock, so that Secretary
Houston, who had to attend a cabinet
meeting. and who was to make the first
address TO the congress, might not be late
at the White House. After an invocation
by Henry Wallace. an Iowa editor. Secre-
tary Houston was introduced by the
president of the congress, Charles Lathrop
Pack of Lakewood. n. J.
Mr.. Pack then delivered his own address
and introduced the former Secretary of
Agriculture. James Wilson. who made a
speech not on the program.
State Delegations Meet.
state delegations held meetings in dozens
OF rooms at the hotel to decide upon their
state officers and resolutions which they
will present during the congress. and at
O'Clock this afternoon they reassembled
in the convention hall to listen to an
address on soil fertility by Senator Hoke
Smith of Georgia, an account of Canada Il
progress in the conservation movement
by James White, representing the Can
adam commission Of conservation: an
address by Representative Lever of South
Carolina, a report from the committee on
food by Dr. Harvey w. Wiley. its chair
man: a greeting from the Daughters of
the American Revolution by Mrs. william
Cumming Story. president general. and
other talks.
The report of the committee on water
power is to follow Mrs Story's remarks
late this afternoon, and Henry L. Stim-
son, member OF the committee and
the former Secretary OF War. said to-
day to newspaper men at Mr.. Leighton 4
Office that ''the committee hopes and ex-
poets TO file unanimous report on the
general principles of the subject and
certain methods Of application OF it,
Certain members Of the committee =
Mr. Stimson added, will file supple
mentary reports. The differences between
us are as to details OF application of
the water power regulation principles to
be submitted"
Sharp Fight Contemplated.
It is evident at the congress this after
noon that a sharp fight is contemplated
on federal policies by those delegates who
contend that the Washington govern
ment is usurping the rights of the states
to regulate their own water power pos
sessions.
The water power committee of which
DR.. George f. Swain professor of en-
gineering at Harvard University is chair
man. was in session at Mr.. Leighton's s
once until late hour last night and all
OF the morning trying to reach an agree
ment. The states rights advocates, il is
said, will meet with strenuous opposition
rms was made apparent in the speech
OF Mr. Pack. retiring president of the
congress. VINO declared in his opening
address that enemies" Seek to make ii
appear that conservation means reserva-
tion and the locking up of the natural
resources Of the nation for the benefit
of future generations.
One of the most interesting things that
happened at the convention touay in the
opinion of the delegates. was a threat
made by the former Secretary of Agricul-
ture. Mr.. Wilson. Speaking of the new
regime at the Agricultural Department,
he said:
Il have been talking for sixteen years.
Let DIR. Houston and his people have
their innings now, and if any one starts
fight on them, IL my right arm has
not lost its cunning. l am going to he
effectually on their side. n
Houston Presents Figures.
In the first address of the day. de-
livered by Secretary Houston, who
spoke extemporaneously, he said, i'm
part:
There are in the United States
935.OOO.OOO acres of arabic land, near
~ 4c0.0O0,OO0 acres Of which are un-
touched. Less than IL per cent of the
farms of the United States are cultj-
waited up to their maximum possibility
of return. The government has a vast
problem in promoting the efficiency OF
the average farmer
But it looks as if the problems living
in the field of distribution are more ur-
gent at this time. Further production
awaits on more nearly just and better
distribution. Unless the producer can be
sure he is going to get an adequate price
for goods. why should lie produce them !?
Under the existing system 4 man is pc
nalized for trying To produce !, better
product. In this problem of marketing
complex and far,reaching, we need your
assistance. As | see IL. the danger is
not much that We may do nothing as
that we may do the wrong thing.
SCanQarQ1Ze arm PRODUCTS.
Farm products must be standardized
and the farmer must have an agent who
knows and understands the product. as
We'll as what prices shall be paid by the
We hear much today about municipal
efficiency. What do We hear about the
protection of country people. the promo
ton of county efficiency? Who ever In
stituted an inquiry for the furthering of
he county purpose?
We have got to provide "A machinery
for the county, with full time county
to see that the health and
product of the people of the county is
protected and promoted"
Dr. Houston went particularly into
. ural education. He demanded that the
health of the children in county schools
should be as well taken care of as it
is i'm the city schools. He also pointed
out the desirability of good roads as
a means of conservation.
IF we will concern ourselves more
With the conservation of people, he de-
clared, I'VE will be relieved OF much of
our concern regarding the conservation
of our natural resources"
Mr.. Wilson. former Secretary of Agri-