110 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



great value to the rest of the country. It is, therefore, in no narrow or local 

 spirit that I urge the passage of the Appalachian Mountain bill. It will do 

 much in my judgment to preserve the waterpower sources in all that region 

 which it covers. The bill is carefully drawn and carefully guarded, so that 

 it can put no undue burden upon the United States, and I believe it will be of 

 immense value and advantage to the people of the United States and another 

 step in the preservation of our forests. 



"That is the bill immediately pending, but the question of the preservation 

 of the forests is one that is with us every year and is a much larger question. 

 It is one that requires the constant attention of all who believe in it, of all 

 who see in it, as I see in it, questions affecting the welfare of generations yet 

 unborn. And therefore, with a view to that larger future which we hope 

 stretches before our great country there is nothing in my judgment more 

 patriotic, more deserving of the support of all patriotic men and women, than 

 to uphold and promote in every way intelligent legislation for the conserva- 

 tion of the natural resources of the United States." 



In introducing the next speaker, President Guild said : "The juxtaposition 

 of the first and the second speakers of this evening is a happy augury for our 

 cause — Massachusetts and Virginia. The American Revolution started in 

 Massachusetts, but the leader came from Virginia, and it was by the vote and 

 at the request of Massachusetts that the great land owner and soldier of 

 Virginia was set at the head of the Continental army, which represented the 

 Old Thirteen. You have heard from Massachusetts. You are to hear from 

 Virginia. You have heard from American statesmanship. You are going to 

 hear from American literature, and it is with the greatest possible pleasure 

 that I introduce to you our new director, one whose name is known far 

 beyond the limits of the United States. I take deep pleasure in presenting to 

 you Mr. Thomas Nelson Page." 



Mr. Page's paper was distinguished by breadth and sanity of judgment, 

 by fine appreciation, and by the high literary quality characterizing all the 

 work of this eminent author. It will be published later in American For- 

 estry. Following Mr. Page's address, the President of the United States was 

 announced and entered the room while the orchestra played the Star Spangled 

 Banner, and the company arose and gave the chief magistrate of the nation 

 a cordial welcome. 



In greeting the President, President Guild referred to the representative 

 character of the audience and to the wide reaching influences for which the 

 company stood. He thanked the President for his interest in the cause repre- 

 sented by the association, for the appointment that he had made of a forester 

 in the person of Mr. Graves, and voiced the respect and love of those present 

 for the President. 



The President said that he was here for two purposes. To testify to his 

 interest in forestry, and to repay a debt he owed to the chairman. Of the 

 latter he said: "I induced him to go to Mexico to represent this country. He 

 did not know the language they use in Mexico, but he had notice enough — two 

 or three months — to learn it. When he went down he took charge of things 

 just as he has tonight and he was the whole show. He led all the foreigners, 

 made them feel at home and gave the Mexicans to understand how we really 

 appreciated their hospitality." The President disclaimed any intention to 

 make a speech on forestry. He referred to the national forests as representing 

 about 25 per cent of the forests owned by private persons. He said that it 

 was discouraging to think of reforesting all the land that ought to have forests 

 in the United States. "It is a task that does not address itself to Americans 

 because when we project a thing one day, we wish to see it well developed the 



