18 SEVENTH REPORT. 



writing- seems based on the theory that development is always and only 

 good — is a good in itself. This we may fairly question. Legislation has 

 too often been but the application of formidable locks, bolts and bars to 

 the door of an empty stable. 



It is fit, then, to consider what is the path of wisdom, what is that 

 true development of our natural resources which scattereth and yet in- 

 creaseth, and what is that development which may better be called devas- 

 tation, whose scattering is not that of the seed corn which returns many 

 fold, but that of the whirlwind and tornado? How may we best conserve 

 our resources and how secure adequate compensation for that consump- 

 tion which is necessary? These are questions in which we have an interest^ 

 as scientists studying either the face of nature or the course of history^ 

 as patriots desiring the welfare of our country, and as parents desiring to 

 pass on unimpaired the patrimony that has come down to us. 



In the first place let us note that the development of national resources 

 does not in all cases imply consumption. It is true that you cannot eat 

 your cake and have it, too, but it is also true that you can use your 

 house, that you can see your picture, and gaze at your statue, and they be 

 none the worse for it. 



Italy and Greece are wealthier today than they would have been had 

 the marble of their statues remained in the quarries of Paros or Carrara^ 

 for the marble still in the quarry has not the value that it has piled up in 

 the I'arthenon. Every Milton who dies mute, inglorious, but who 

 might have sung immortal verse is a loss and waste, most of course to 

 the higher and spiritual interests of the nation, but also to the commercial 

 interests as well. I do not know how much cash loss of trade it would be 

 to Stratford-on-Avon had Shakespeare lived and died there without 

 knowing letters, but I do know that the American pilgrims to the foot- 

 steps of gi'cat men gone before us leave in Italy every year hundreds of 

 thousands of dollars.^ 



So the fact that the Republican party was born in Jackson meant 

 many dollars to many Jackson people about a year ago. Thus a develop- 

 ment of oiir natural resources which means merely turning material into 

 more valuable, artistic shape, or surrounding it with inspiring associa- 

 tions — such development is pure gain and no loss, so long at least as we do 

 not bury living prophets under the tombs of their forerunners or shackle 

 the present v>\i\\ reverence for the past. 



Schools and professional feeling which help the workman to become 

 the artizan, to put individuality into his work and feel a pride in it, 

 are thus directly helping the prosperity of the commonwealth and 

 money spent in the production and education of men who serve man- 

 kind and whose footsteps will be gazed upon with reverence by coming 

 generations is money well spent. Again, insofar as work of artistic 

 value is expended upon material which is retained in the State, there 

 is a definite increase in the wealth of the State. This accumulation of 

 wealth may be either by the importation of art from abroad or by turn- 

 ing our own material into art forms. Particularly is this true of 

 architecture and of furniture which is worthy to descend as heirlooms 

 from father to son.- The accumulation within the State of Art treas- 



i"Last year was a record breaker, and Americans paid $35,379,050 for ocean steamship faresfrom 

 New York alone. It is claimed that Americans spent four times as much as their fares while abroad, 

 and that makes a total of .$131,516,000 spent in Europe and other parts of the old world last year, by 

 people who sailed from New York." 



2 The money spent in makinf? dollar chairs is no permanent gain to the community. A Chippendale 

 sofa on the other hand is worth more than ever. 



