ConserRvATION PropteMs in INDIANA. 
By FREDERICK J. BREEZE. 
When the organized movement toward the conservation of natural 
resources began with the White House Conference of Governoi's in 1908; 
very little attention was given it. But wide publicity was given to the 
new undertaking, and because of the peopie’s faith in the integrity of pur- 
pose of its leaders, Roosevelt and Pinchot, the movement met with very 
general favor and enthusiasm. We had already seen the essential princi- 
ples of conservation successfully applied in the management of the Fed- 
eral forests and irrigation enterprises. Not only did the conservation 
movement stand out against the useless destruction and .waste of natura! 
resources, but also against the century-old policy of the government almost 
giving away its great resources of forests, water power, and minerals to 
corporations which were beccming gigantic monopolies. At once, conserva- 
tion became a scientific and economic problem. The rapid reforms that 
followed the agitation for conservation struck terror to the monopolies and 
individuals who were getting control of our great national possessions; 
and conservation has been compelled to fight against the crafty, powerful 
and insolent onslaught of certain vested interests. The history of the past 
year is primarily a story of this struggle. The fight is by no means over; 
but the National Conservation movement has gained some very decisive 
victories, and today conservation enjoys a very marked degree of popular- 
ity. Already the close observer can see the tendency of certain classes of 
men to eagerly support the conservation policies in order to secure public 
favor for themselves. Other well meaning people are insisting on becom- 
ing leaders of the movement, whcse enthusiasm surpasses everything except 
their deplorable ignorance of conservation itself. 
In view of the recent beginnings of conservation activity in our own 
State, it may be well to briefly recall to your minds some of the conserva- 
tion problems of Indiana. 
Two natural resources are almost entirely depleted, our great virgin 
forests and natural gas. While the removal of our forests was necessary 
for agriculture and the demand for lumber, yet it must be admitted that 
deforestation has taken place to a greater extent than the actual needs 
