738 



The National Geographic Magazine 



in use for their protection and restocking, 

 and many other matters are under study 

 which cannot be recapitulated here. 



These studies are being made by scien- 

 tists in the various bureaus of the Fed- 

 eral government, aided by officers of the 

 state governments and state conservation 

 committees. Prominent among the bu- 

 reaus enlisted in the work are the Census, 

 the Forest Service, the Bureau of Corpo- 

 rations, those of Statistics of the Depart- 

 ments of Agriculture and of Commerce 

 and Labor, those of Plant Industry and 

 of Soils, the office of Experiment Sta- 

 tions, General Land Office, Reclamation 

 Service, and Weather Bureau. 



The National Conservation Commis- 

 sion will meet . early in December and 

 receive a preliminary report on these 

 matters, and later a second conference of 

 the state governors will be held in Wash- 

 ington. 



The work of the National Conserva- 

 tion Commission will consist mainly: 



ist. In the collection and digestion of 

 information concerning our resources. 

 So far its work is commercial, or, better, 

 economic geography. 



2d. In the dissemination widely of this 

 information, together with advice and 

 suggestions as to the methods of con- 

 servation, and thus to cultivate public 

 sentiment in the practice of economy in 

 our resources. 



3d. In so shaping legislation, both 

 national and state, as most fully to carry 

 out these ends of conservation. 



In order to aid in this work an associa- 

 tion of great organizations is being 

 formed, known as the Conservation 

 League of America, best described in the 

 following letter of invitation to the 

 National Geographic Society: 



Willis L. Moore, President National Geo- 

 graphic Society, Washington, D. C. 

 Dear Sir: The recent conference of gov- 

 ernors of the various states of the Union, to- 

 gether with many eminent men and representa- 

 tives from a number of our great non-politi- 

 cal organizations, which convened at the White 

 House last May, has forcibly directed public 

 attention to the decisive part which the intelli- 

 gent development and wise conservation of our 



natural resources should and must play in the 

 future of the nation. 



As a result of the unanimous action there 

 taken the President has appointed a National 

 Conservation Commission to investigate and' 

 report upon the character, value, and extent of 

 our existing natural resources, and this offi- 

 cially constituted Commission will undoubtedly 

 accomplish a work of much permanent value. 



The conference also served to emphasize, 

 what has long been a growing conviction with 

 many, that there should be some means of 

 bringing into closer relation and more intelli- 

 gent cooperation the unofficial associations 

 which have a common interest in the broader 

 aspects of the conservation movement. 



It is apparent that such cooperation must be 

 confined to those general aspects of the subject 

 which are common to all of the existing organ- 

 izations, and that the special and particular 

 functions and activities of each association 

 must not be interfered with, impaired or in 

 any way affected. What is needed is simply 

 that degree of general cooperation of all, which 

 will assist and make more effective the special 

 work of each. 



After conferring with the representatives of 

 some of these associations, the National Rivers- 

 and Harbors Congress has undertaken to ini- 

 tiate such cooperation by inviting similar or- 

 ganizations to unite with it in forming the 

 Conservation League of America, the sole pur- 

 pose and function of which is embraced in ai 

 declaration of principles which is herewith en- 

 closed. To carry on its work, a central head- 

 quarters is to be opened in Chicago, from- 

 which shall be conducted a campaign of pub- 

 licity. . . . 



The plan of organization and work has been 

 submitted to President Roosevelt and to the 

 Hon. William H. Taft and the Hon. William 

 J. Bryan. It has not only been approved by 

 them, but President Roosevelt lias accepted the 

 honorary presidency of the League and Mr. 

 r Taft and Mr. Bryan have consented to serve- 

 as honorary vice-presidents. Mr. Walter L. 

 Fisher, of Chicago, has been chosen as presi- 

 dent of the League, and representatives of or- 

 ganized labor and of organized capital will act. 

 as vice-presidents, spokesmen for both these 

 interests having expressed hearty approval. 



It will be seen that the new organization is, 

 as it should be, absolutely non-partizan, both' 

 politically and industrially. 



We cordially invite your organization to- 

 unite with the League. No financial obliga- 

 tion will be involved, as all funds necessary 

 for the work to be undertaken have been 

 kindly provided from voluntary contributors 

 who are interested in it, and it involves no 

 commitment of your association beyond the 

 purposes declared. . . . 



If you approve of the plan, kindly permit us 

 to enroll your organization as a member of the- 

 League, and to use its name as such. Inas- 

 much as prompt action is essential to the sue- 



