We commend the wise forethought of the President in sounding the 

 note of warning as to the waste and exhaustion of the natural resources 

 of the country, and signify our high appreciation of his action in calling 

 this conference to consider the same and to seek remedies therefor through 

 cooperation of the Nation and the States. 



We agree that this cooperation should find expression in suitable action 

 by the Congress within the limits of and coextensive with the national 

 jurisdiction of the subject, and, complementary thereto, by the legisla- 

 tures of the. several States within the limits of and coextensive with 

 their jurisdiction. 



We declare the conviction that in the use of the national resources our 

 independent States are interdependent and bound together by ties of 

 mutual benefits, responsibilities, and duties. 



We agree in the wisdom of future conferences between the President, 

 Members of Congress, and the governors of States on the conservation of 

 our natural resources with a view of continued cooperation and action on 

 the lines suggested; and to this end we advise that from time to time, 

 as in his judgment may seem wise, the President call the governors of 

 States and Members of Congress and others into conference. 



We agree that further action is advisable to ascertain the present con- 

 dition of our natural resources and to promote the conservation of the same ; 

 and to that end we recommend the appointment by each State of a com- 

 mission on the conservation of natural resources, to cooperate with each 

 other and with any similar commission of the Federal Government. 



We urge the continuation and extension of forest policies adapted to 

 secure the husbanding and renewal of our diminishing timber supply, the 

 prevention of soil erosion, the protection of headwaters, and the main- 

 tenance of the purity and navigability of our streams. We recognize 

 that the private ownership of forest lands entails responsibilities in the 

 interests of all the people, and we favor the enactment of laws looking 

 to the protection and replacement of privately owned forests. 



We recognize in our waters a most valuable asset of the people of the 

 United States, and we recommend the enactment of laws looking to the 

 conservation of water resources for irrigation, water supply, power, and 

 navigation, to the end that navigable and source streams may be brought 

 under complete control and fully utilized for every purpose. We espe- 

 'cially urge on the Federal Congress the immediate adoption of a wise, 

 active, and thorough waterway policy, providing for the prompt improve- 

 ment of our streams and the conservation of their watersheds required for 

 the uses of commerce and the protection of the interests of our people. . 



We recommend the enactment of laws looking to the prevention of 

 waste in the mining and extraction of coal, oil, gas, and other minerals 

 with a view to their wise conservation for the use of the people, and to the 

 protection of human life in the mines. 



let us conserve the foundations of our prosperity. 



340 



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