A Conference of the State Governors was opened at the
White House on Wednesday to discuss the conservation of the natural resources of the United States. The crying need for such action and the vigorous steps taken by Mr. Roosevelt to promote it are explained in an interesting despatch published in Tuesday's Times. The investigations of Mr. Pinchot, chief of the forestry service, show to what alarming lengths the waste of natural resources has proceeded owing to the lax administration of the land laws. Forests have been denuded, with the result of a serious shortage of water-power in certain districts, and the coalfields are in danger of exhaustion. Mr. Roosevelt has accordingly warned Congress that he will veto Bills which grant further franchises for the use of such privileges to private monopolies. His attitude has naturally aroused strong antagonism. Indeed, as the Times corre- spondent says, "this determination to thwart the creation of vested interests in water-power, to check further forest exploitation and weaken the grip of illegitimate ownership of the forest and mineral areas, is certain to meet with bitter opposition in Congress when in due time it takes the form of proposed legislation." The meeting was attended by the Governors of nearly every State, including those of Hawaii and Alaska, and no fewer than six " Presidential possibilities." Mr. Roosevelt pointed out that the problem before them was only part of the greater problem of national efficiency,—the patriotic duty of ensuring the safety and continuance of the nation. He stated that if Congress refused to vote the small appropriation to continue the work of the Waterways Com- mission, he intended "to continue the Commission anyhow."
