WHAT THE CONSERVATION CONGRESS 

 ACCOMPLISHED 



By CharIvES Lathrop Pack 

 President of the National Conservation Congress 



A MONG the fourteen hundred delegates present in Washington at 

 / \ the Fifth National Conservation Congress were more foresters 

 ^ *than had ever heretofore attended any similar meeting in this 

 country. The forestry work accomplished, as evidenced by the 

 twelve printed reports in pamphlet form prepared under the direction of 

 the Forestry Committee, is considered by forestry experts and lumbermen 

 to be the best work that up to this time has been done for American 

 forestry and lumbering. These results alone would justify all the effort 

 that has been made and the presence in Washington of such a repre- 

 sentative body of men. 



The adoption by the Conservation Congress of the recommendations 

 unanimously presented by its Committee on Water Power was a long 

 step forward in the development of a definite governmental policy, 

 recognizing clearly the principle of Federal control ; and also recognizing 

 clearly the necessity of offering to the investor opportunity to invest his 

 time and money in the development of water power under conditions 

 which safeguard both the public interest and his investment. 



The Committee on Water Power comprised ten men, exceptionally 

 qualified by knowledge of this subject in all its aspects. Under the able 

 chairmanship of Dr. George F. Swain, President of the American Society 

 of Civil Engineers, it worked out and presented not a mere declaration 

 of principles, but concrete and specific recommendations which should 

 be of great value to the Government in framing the legislation that is 

 needed to convert the present comparative inactivity in water power 

 development into a period of active Conservation by use. 



The fact that a committee comprised, not only of professional experts 

 of the highest distinction, some of whom are actively associated with the 

 water power interests, but also such men as ex-Secretary Stimson, 

 Mr. Gifford Pinchot and Mr. Lewis B. Stillwell were able to agree upon 

 a definite and constructive program, and that this program received the 

 emphatic endorsement of the Conservation Congress, is a demonstration 

 of the public spirit of the Committee and the ability of the Congress to 

 accomplish effective and constructive work. All true Conservationists 

 will hope that our National Government will promptly enact the legislation 

 that is so greatly needed. 



