10 THE TREE PLANTERS OF AMERICA 



The plan in general unifies the individual, the state and the 

 nation, into one vast organized body for the practical reforestation 

 of the country. The system once made operative will become an 

 inseparable part of the life of the farmer of the future. It is kin- 

 dred to the splendid educational and philanthropic work of Mr. Ber- 

 nard N. Baker, the ideal and actual president of this Congress, and 

 I hope it may merit your approval as one practical means to the 

 end we all are aiming at. 



The time for talking has gone by. The time for action has 

 come. Therefore let us begin at the foundation and organize the 

 coming men who are to do the actual work of reforestation. The 

 mind of the American boy is plastic. The impressions he receives 

 remain to the end. Teach him then to practice those things that 

 make for permanent universal betterment, for with his brain and 

 brawn he determines the destiny of this great American Republic. 



PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE BOARD 

 OF DIRECTORS AND STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE NATIONAL 

 BUSINESS LEAGUE OF AMERICA, SEPTEMBER 26, 1910. COPY 

 FORWARDED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 



WHEREAS, The rapid development of the agriculture, the various 

 industries and the commerce of the United States have largely ex- 

 hausted the forests of the country and thereby destroyed the nat- 

 ural currents of the water courses, reduced the water powers to a 

 minimum of usefulness, defaced the landscapes, and resulted in dis- 

 astrous floods and serious erosion or wastage of the soil ; and 



WHEREAS, It is evident that restoration and perpetuation of the 

 forests, so far as practicable, have become imperative for the gen- 

 eral welfare of the nation ; and 



WHEREAS, The National Business League of Amerida has sug- 

 gested that the farmer boys and youth of the United States be 

 organized for the purpose of reforestation of the farms, tree cul- 

 ture and conservation of timber supplies, under the title and name 



