A HALF CENTURY OF CONSERVATION 341 



vation. It was effected by one who saw social ad- 

 vantages to the masses in out-of-door recreation. 

 The committee consisted mostly of specialists not 

 particularly interested in each other's objectives. The 

 most optimistic of us hoped at best that a beginning 

 toward a union of many movements related only in 

 their use of recreation might gradually be brought 

 into co-operation. 



Once assembled, this astonishing conference 

 set its own pace. That it started with a rush, that 

 it produced in amity, enthusiasm and unanimity a 

 creed covering the most advanced positions in the re- 

 lations of conservational and social movements to- 

 ward the use of out-of-doors, and that co-operative 

 organization was started on a national scale, evi- 

 denced that the motive power was mass sentiment. 

 Twenty committees worked in separate rooms dur- 

 ing sessions and at night to produce the creed which 

 was passed with applause at the last session. 



The permanent organization adopted was sim- 

 ple. Under the comprehensive title of National Con- 

 ference on Outdoor Recreation were balanced a popu- 

 lar and a governmental wing, each wholly indepen- 

 dent of the other. The former, called the Council 

 on Outdoor Recreation, was to consist of representa- 

 tives chosen by the national organizations of the 

 people to promote unindustrial outdoor opportunities 

 and conditions of all kinds throughout the country, 

 developing a national policy. The latter, a com- 

 mittee of Cabinet officers to be appointed by the Presi- 



