IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
3 
in which they were developed, and for the time being 
public interest centered in them, as though the prosperity 
of the community depended for all time upon their encour- 
agement and support. And yet how often have industries 
so heralded resulted in ultimate failure, with possible 
great profit for the few, but loss and suffering for the 
many, besides so often entailing the depreciation of indi- 
vidual and public moral sense! In many cases these indus- 
tries have been almost forgotten, yet they have left a 
curse behind them in the form of recklessly wasted re- 
sources. Our “business enterprise” has often cost us 
dearly. 
A number of industries were dependent on the American 
bison, but the bison is no more. The products of the 
beaver gave employment to many men, but the beaver is 
fast disappearing. The pearl button industry revived the 
drooping business spirit of some of our own river towns, 
but clams are no longer found within our borders in suffi- 
cient quantity for profitable manufacture, and again dis- 
appointment and disaster are following in the wake of 
“business enterprise.” The forests of this country were 
thought to be inexhaustible, and everywhere the hum of 
the sawmill was welcomed as the harbinger of prosperity. 
Yet today many of the great forest areas are reduced to 
barren wastes, and while a few private fortunes were piled 
up, suffering for the many stares us in the face; indeed, 
the increased cost of lumber is already working hardships. 
Only a few years ago a large part of the southern peninsula 
of Michigan was covered with splendid pine forests which 
grew upon the poorest soils. Today the forests are cleared, 
and there remains only a sandy, barren tract of stump- 
land which will not even sustain sheep! Other portions of 
the country have fared equally badly, and everywhere 
there has been the same reckless disregard of consequences. 
It has simply been a game of grab, and no thought was 
given to the morrow. No attempt was made to husband 
or perpetuate our natural resources, and in almost every 
case the result has been the killing of the goose that laid 
the golden egg. 
