68 FINAL ACT OF SECOND PAN AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS. 



at the same time to "conserve" its obligations to the generations which 

 are to come. It follows, therefore, that each right-thinking man and 

 woman who has a decent regard for the rights of his neighbor and of 

 posterity is a true conservationist. They agree on fundamental prin- 

 ciples and differ only in the details of their application. 



It has become a habit in the United States to rush to the Government 

 for the solution of any and all of these problems. Unquestionably there 

 are many phases of them which are properly within governmental juris- 

 diction. How far we should look to the direction of Government in these 

 matters, and to what extent the Government should leave them to 

 private agencies, were questions which directly and indirectly claimed 

 a large share of attention in the meetings of this Section, and it is proper 

 to say that the Section reached more satisfactory results than had been 

 thought likely. These results are, of course, to be found in their most 

 concrete form in the resolutions which the Section adopted. 



It will be observed that the resolutions of this Section, which were 

 approved by the Executive Committee and incorporated by the Con- 

 gress in the Final Act require governmental action. It is evident, 

 however, that the recommendation of governmental action involves ac- 

 ceptance of the principles upon which Governments are asked to act 

 in the subject matter to which they refer, and it therefore becomes of 

 importance to consider and to state these principles. 



The general principles to which reference is made are to be found in a 

 series of resolutions, five in number, which were adopted by the Section. 



The First Sectional Resolution is as follows : 



That each of the American Nations should take steps to conserve its 

 mineral resources for the purpose of yielding to its citizens the greatest 

 possible returns, as well as serving as sources of supply for less favored 

 countries. This result may be accomplished: 



I. By using the most approved scientific methods in making preliminary 

 examinations, thus avoiding the expense of attempting to develop non- 

 productive areas; 



II. By improvements in mining, quarrying, and drilling, so as to prevent 

 or reduce loss, either by individual effort or by governmental regulation; 



III. By better treatment and preparation of the products of the mines, 

 the quarries, and the wells; and 



IV. By more efficient methods of utilizing the finished materials when 

 they are ready for the market. 



The above resolution contains no recommendation for joint action 

 by the several American Republics because it was thought that the time 

 had not yet arrived for attempting such joint action on the conservation 

 of mineral resources; but, desiring that some action be taken approving 



