152 UNITED STATES FOREST POLICY 



was one of the most notable conventions ever held in this country, and 

 three days were devoted to speeches on the conservation of the re- 

 sources of the country.^^ Several of the governors announced that 

 they would immediately appoint state conservation commissions in 

 their respective states; and the number of state commissions was 

 greatly increased within the next year or two.^^ 



THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION 



Soon after the Conference of Governors, Roosevelt appointed the 

 National Conservation Commission, with Pinchot as chairman, to 

 make a report on the national resources of the country. The commis- 

 sion had no funds at its disposal, but Roosevelt gave an order direct- 

 ing that the heads of the scientific bureaus at Washington should 

 utilize their forces in making investigations requested by the com- 

 mission, so far as such investigations lay in their respective fields. 

 Pinchot and his assistants did most of the work. The report of the 

 National Conservation Commission, in three volumes, was completed 

 in January, 1909, and is the most exhaustive inventory of our natural 

 resources that has ever been made.^* 



Roosevelt's next step was to invite the governors of Canada and 

 Newfoundland, and the President of Mexico, to appoint commission- 

 ers to consider with the commissioners of the United States, the ques- 

 tion of conservation. In consequence of these invitations, the first 

 North American Conservation Conference was held in Washington, 

 February 18, 1909 — a meeting somewhat similar to the Conference 

 of Governors; and, at the suggestion of this conference. President 

 Roosevelt requested the powers of the world to meet at The Hague 

 for the purpose of considering the conservation of the natural 

 resources of the world. Perhaps as a result of Roosevelt's activity, 

 the Canadian Parliament made provision for a commission on con- 

 jservation in May, 1909.^^ 



In marked contrast to the position of President Roosevelt, was the 

 attitude of Congress during this time. Roosevelt asked for an appro- 



22 Proceedings of a Conference of Governors, May 13-15, 1908; H. Doc. 1425; 

 60 Cong. 2 sess.: Chautauquan, 55, 21 et seq. 



23 Van Hise, "Conservation of Natural Resources in the United States," 8. 



24 S. Doc, 676 ; 60 Cong. 2 sess. 



25 S. Report 826; 61 Cong. 2 sess. 45: Conservation, Apr., 1909, 218-221: Cana- 

 dian Forestry Journal, June, 1909, 99. 



