78 New Yoek State 



seems likely that food will never again be as cheap in this country 

 as it has been in the past. The American nation has enjoyed i 

 varied food supply obtainable in abundance at reasonably low cost, 

 and there is little doubt that this has contributed to produce the 

 physical vigor and intellectual strength and the independence of 

 action of which we as a nation are proud. If this is in any degree 

 true, it becomes the paramount duty of those responsible for the con- 

 servation and development of national or state resources to exert 

 every possible influence for the protection and increase of the food 

 supply; to resist procedures that threaten any limitation of it, and to 

 improve the conditions that surround its production. Stream pollu- 

 tion threatens the existence of aquatic life. It has already contributed 

 to the reduction in our production of fish food, and if continued will 

 ultimately destroy this great national resource. No one would for 

 a moment think of permitting the destruction of great areas of 

 fertile land. The total area of our water bodies represents a very 

 large fraction of the usable surface of the dry land. The changes 

 which have been going on under the surface of the water have failed 

 to impress us because they have been hidden from view. We have, 

 however, means of testing these changes definitely and of applying 

 means for the correction of the evils. It is incumbent upon us to 

 ascertain the exact facts and to act before our splendid aquatic 

 resources have been entirely destroyed. 



