Current Literature. 309 



"I may be criticised for saying very little so far about conservation. But 

 surely little need be said to prove that the fire loss is a waste and a vast 

 drain upon our natural resources. Every one appreciates it, of course, 

 where forest fires are concerned; but it is just as much of a drain on the 

 forests to burn up the boards and the timber in a house which must be 

 rebuilt as to burn up the trees before they are cut down and sawed. And 

 not only timber but iron, tin, lead, zinc — all the materials used in building 

 construction — and a vast amount of merchandise contained in buildings 

 are devoured annually by the flames. Surely, then, the prevention of this 

 waste — the work of the structural engineer and the fire-protection en- 

 gineer — is a task whose accomplishment means much for the public benefit, 

 means much for the conservation of the world's resources." 



A cautionary attitude in regard to the development of water 

 powers and inland waterways and to the broad propositions of the 

 Inland Water Ways Commission was also taken by L. B. Still- 

 well, E. E., but, while with all the other speakers this attitude 

 came in only incidentally, Dr. R. W. Raymond made it the princi- 

 pal theme in discussing the futility of attempts to conserve na- 

 tural resources by legislation; holding that economic adjustments 

 and education — knowledge of conditions — will alone suffice to 

 bring about conservative use of resources. While we do not quite 

 agree with this old Spencerian belief, we admit its force as against 

 unwise legislation, and quote the speaker's pithy language in ex- 

 tenso: 



"The recent general awakening of public interest in the conservation 

 of national resources is an event for which, as engineers, we may well 

 be grateful. Even if we admit, as I suppose we must, that a part of it 

 is artificial and another part erroneous or premature, and that some of the 

 immediate purposes for which many have proposed to utilize it are question- 

 able in character, the fact remains that a subject, to some aspects of which 

 engineers have been for a generation calling attention in vain, is now sud- 

 denly brought forward in such a way that the sluggish sit up and listen, 

 and the tremendous energy of public opinion is liberated by a swift reaction. 

 How this energy shall be wisely directed is another question. The funda- 

 mental fact is, that without it nothing at all could be done ; and it is 

 better to have the will and the power, even to make mistakes, than to 

 remain in sleep, knowing nothing, or in paralysis, knowing much, but im- 

 potent to act. 



"The official movement for the conservation of national resources did 

 not, at first, contemplate the aid of the engineers of the country. If I 

 remember correctly, it was to be a convention of Governors and members 

 of Congress. But, by a happy afterthought, the four national engineering 

 societies were invited to take part in this convention, and, consequently, 

 representatives from all of them were present. Their presence 

 had little effect upon the conference, and, indeed, the conference 

 itself had little effect, except through the creation of a more 

 permanent commission; the practical, though informal commitment of 

 the Governors of the States to the general movement contemplated ; and 

 the impression of a grand, unanimous advance in a new reform thereby 

 produced upon the public mind. These results, however, were of incal- 

 culable importance, and may well be regarded as satisfactory to the friends 

 of the general cause thus inaugurated. 



