Conservation, the National Issue^ 



Charles Louis Pollard 



One may be pardoned for a certain degree of hesitancy in dis- 

 cussing a subject widely exploited in the press and on the plat- 

 form, and more or less familiar to everyone aiming to keep pace 

 with the trend of modern affairs. Conservation of natural re- 

 sources, as a phrase, has indeed become the watchword of the 

 times, and opportunely, for until the principle of conservation 

 becomes a fixed public policy, the execution of which is insured 

 by proper state and federal laws, we shall have with us always 

 that economic menace known as the increased cost of living, 

 which we strive feebly to avert by pitifully inadequate means. 

 Tariffs may come and go, special taxes of one kind or another 

 may be enacted, farms may be abandoned or renewed ; but there 

 can be no permanent betterment of existing conditions until we 

 humbly recognize that man cannot dispense with the good gifts 

 provided by nature, that he must use these gifts wisely, judi- 

 ciously, and must conserve them by every means within his power. 

 Civilization has effected to a wonderful degree the mental and 

 moral advancement of the human race, and we are constantly 

 discovering new methods of harnessing the forces of nature for 

 our benefit. We have no reason to suppose that man will be 

 mentally retrogressive in the further course of evolution ; and if 

 we are the predecessors of a race possessing superior mental en- 

 dowments, is it unreasonable to suggest that we should strive to 

 preserve from utter barrenness the earthly heritage of future 

 generations ? 



Conservation is a broad and elastic term. It may be held to 

 include the preservation not only of such natural resources as 



^ Lecture delivered before the Men's Club of Forest Hill, N. J., January 

 1911. Presented at the meeting of the Association February 18, ipri. 



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