Address, “What the States are Doing”
President White—The first thing on this afternoon’s program is a report from Dr. George E. Condra on “What the States are Doing.” He is President of the National Association of Conservation Commissioners. We are very much interested to know how far the spirit of Conservation is being taken up and applied in the different States. We will now hear Dr. Condra.
Dr. Condra—Mr. President and Delegates: This report, prepared at the request of the Executive Committee of the Congress, is based on data received from several Governors, and the conservation organizations of various States. It can not be given in detail, for that would require too much of your time. Neither do we deem it advisable to treat the subject State by State, for it would call for needless repetition. Consequently the data are reviewed subject by subject corresponding to the leading departments of Conservation, and the States are mentioned only in connection with the progress they have attained in each department. It is assumed that: 1. You are in full sympathy with State Conservation and its co-operation with Federal agencies. 2. You do not expect to hear overdrawn statements. 3. You wish a review of such conservation facts as are really worth while in development. 4. You know how natural resources control industrial development. 5. You agree that the leading resources in the United States are mineral fuels, iron, water, soil, plant and animal life, the varying importance in the distribution of which determines to a considerable extent the locations of industrial and commercial centers, and that these resources are not distributed according to state lines, but that development is influenced to some extent by State laws.
COAL.
The importance of coal in our country is much greater than most people suppose. It is well distributed. The amount of power derived from it is many times that of all our man power working every hour of the day. The annual production of our coal leads that of Great Britain by a wide margin. The ranking States in output are Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Wyoming, Tennessee and Maryland. Wyoming is thought to contain even larger natural stores of coal than Pennsylvania. Mr. Edward W. Parker, head of the coal division of the United States Geological Survey, reports over two trillion tons of unmined coal west of the 100th meridian, lying principally in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain provinces, and in smaller districts farther west.
MRS. PHILIP N. MOORE
OF ST. LOUIS, MO.,
VICE-PRESIDENT, FIFTH NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS
It is evident that there is much more coal for future consumption than most conservationists have claimed. This is a pleasing fact, for it indicates that industry should not be seriously hampered by lack of this source of power for many years to come. The argument that there is enough coal and to spare is used, however, to further selfish ends. It causes bad management of coal lands at many places. Notwithstanding the fact that the United States is so favorably endowed with coal it is coming to be known that some of the better bituminous and anthracite grades most favorably located are doomed to early exhaustion. The rapid increase in the use of these is causing some of the eastern States to show deep interest in conservation.
During the year the conservation of coal was directed mainly towards larger recovery from the mines, to the study and prevention of mine accidents, especially those caused by explosions, to improving the methods of use whereby more power is derived, and to the saving of by-products in coke making. The National Bureau of Mines lead in most of these investigations. Several States, mostly in the eastern province, studied the same problems, as for example, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama. Illinois was equally active in the interior province. Practically all coal mines are now inspected by delegated authority.
The bee-hive coke oven produced relatively less coke during the year than the by-product oven in which is recovered coal tar and other useful products of considerable value. Investigations definitely proved that the most economic way to use certain soft coals is in the manufacture of producer gas. The culm heaps in the Scranton and Wilkesbarre districts were drawn upon more than formerly for the production of the smaller sizes of washed coal. This is an important utilization of what formerly was waste.
It would seem that every one in this Congress should be deeply interested in the conservation of coal whether his State produces it or not, for the permanence of this resource has a power relation, one that affects the industrial and social development of the whole country.
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS.
These are uncertain resources as to their occurrence and permanence of development. The amount of production, however, is very large, coming from several States, and having increased from about 63,000,000 barrels in 1900 to over 200,000,000 barrels in 1911. New pools were developed in each province, though the annual production fell off at places. The largest developments were in California and Oklahoma, yet Illinois, West Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Indiana were important producers, as they have been for several years. No new conservation movements were inaugurated except that California took more definite steps to prevent waste at the wells. Adequate tankage, together with a high degree of attainment in refining, are the two leading factors in the conservation of petroleum. This industry is a splendid example of conservation for special interests, yet the public is supplied with many useful commodities, such as kerosene, gasoline, waxes, paraffine, oils, etc. Kerosene has a close commercial relation to the gas engine and the automobile industry. The price of gasoline, for reasons not fully understood by the speaker, made a marked advance. Just how this may affect the future building of gas engines is not known.
The production of natural gas is even more erratic than petroleum. It is readily used in the manufacture of brick, tile, glass and cement. A lack of permanence gives to the gas-using industries a migratory character, a movement to and from gas regions. For several years such plants have operated up to their full market capacity in Kansas and Oklahoma. The financial depressions of 1907 and of the past year checked some of factory building in and near the gas regions. For about two years certain companies have been diligent in selling equipment for making gasoline from natural gas.
The conservation movement is partly responsible for the decrease in waste of natural gas. Formerly the unused wells of Oklahoma and Louisiana, especially, were allowed to cast their millions of feet of fuel into the air without even a remonstrance from the States. Flambeaux burned night and day in the streets of small towns and many persons between Indiana and Texas were then heard to say that gas is cheaper than matches. The States stand indicted. This wrong to nature and to present and future industry cannot be repaired. The deed is done, and our only hope is that we may escape without having to suffer for such an offense.
IRON ORE.
This is the basis of iron and steel manufacture. It supplies the materials used in harnessing the power of fuel and water and has importance in mining, transportation, smelting and milling. The industries connected with iron and steel making in the United States are conducted in a much larger way than in Great Britain and Germany next in rank. The increasing use of steel by railroads, in highway construction, ship-building, the making of engines and farm machinery, and for large building is causing many persons to wonder how long this progress can continue unhampered. Is there no limit to our high grade ore and to the development of the gigantic enterprises dependent upon coal, iron and steel? What appears to be the correct answer to this question has been made by good authority. It is that the supply of high grade ore, like that now used, is not permanent—that it will not last many years. If this is true, the time will be when it will become necessary to mine less desirable ore, grading lower and lower as production continues. This, without doubt, will have an unfavorable effect upon our whole industrial organization.
The history of iron in the United States is most interesting. It shows that one by one many of the small districts were abandoned for the richer fields of the Lake Superior region, the Birmingham and Guernsey districts. The States that lost out in this change now realize that production may again return to their borders when the richer and larger deposits are exhausted. In consequence of this several States are beginning investigations looking to the future utilizing of low grade ores. At the smelters more than usual thought is given to the quality of output, making it more durable or otherwise better suited to the use for which it is intended. Experiments are under way for the purpose of testing out hydro-electric smelting in parts of California and other western States where the ore is distant from coal.
Much of the iron and steel conservation is directed by corporate interests in whom the ownership of ore and the development based thereon are definitely established.
WATER RESOURCES.
Dr. W. J. McGee, whose death we mourn, once said that “water is the prime necessity of life.” He also discussed its importance for drinking, in navigation, for power, and in the production from the soil of such materials as food and clothing.
The drinking water of the country and small towns is obtained principally from underground through wells and springs. A few States are trying to improve their domestic water supply by making sanitary surveys, noting the relation of the wells to drainage from lots, privies and other dangerous sources. Typhoid epidemics, due to sewage entering the water system, occurred in several towns. More than usual activity was manifest in making careful studies of streams in their relation to floods, drainage, power, sewage, water supplies and navigation. The Lakes and Rivers Commission of Illinois has gathered and published more data than other States in this line. The subject, “Navigation of Inland Waterways,” with special reference to the Mississippi and its “Lakes to the Gulf Route,” received new impetus principally because of its relation to the Panama Route. The Gulf States are now supported by Illinois especially in a campaign for larger attainments in this development.
Irrigation had a good year, especially so in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions. The irrigation development is an important contributor to the larger industrial life of the whole country.
LAND AND SOIL.
The United States has vast areas of land of many kinds. The soil of this land is our greatest physical resource. Its fertility feeds the crops and is therefore of fundamental importance in agriculture and industrial development based thereon. Nevertheless, it is true that many disregard this great fact in their farm management. They conserve their own selfish interests and not the state. Just how to develop the State’s view point in land management is not known. The southern States, in co-operation with the United States Department of Agriculture, are making progress in the solution of this problem. In many places there, the farmers are showing rapid improvement in crop rotation and methods of cultivation.
In Texas and Florida, much of the wet alluvial land is being improved by drainage. The Levee and Drainage Board of Texas surveyed over 300,000 acres last year and constructed 100 miles of levees. Land valued at twenty dollars an acre became worth seventy-five dollars to one hundred dollars at a cost of thirty dollars per acre. Deep floods of the Mississippi River did great damage in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky, causing the Delta region to put forth a plea for National aid in draining the wet lands of the South. It does seem that their plea for support should not go unheeded when such a vast, fertile area lies unreclaimed.
Nearly every State is studying soil erosion, the tenant system and land taxation. Dr. E. N. Lowe, State Geologist of Mississippi, reports that his survey endeavored to secure the enactment of a law that would tend to check the great losses in the northern part of the State caused by soil erosion. The bill was opposed by a prominent senator on the ground that it would interfere with the personal rights of land owners. The bill did not pass, but Dr. Lowe is to conduct a campaign of education before the next Legislature is convened. The difference in viewpoint here shown, is the difference between the meaning of “legal” and “right.” Does any one have the right to ruin the land?
Co-operative soil surveys were carried on during the year in the various States with complete success. Every State now sees the need of reliable study and mapping of its soils, to serve as a basis for farm management, taxation, and real estate. At a recent meeting of the National Tax Association, held in Des Moines, Iowa, the relation of land surveys and taxation was discussed with considerable detail. It was the conclusion that land value maps should be prepared by soil surveys to serve as a physical basis of taxation.
FOREST RESOURCES.
Though originally endowed with vast areas of forest on public domain, some having great value, our Federal Government was slow to develop effective measures for its protection, utilization and future growth. One generation stripped the forest from the agricultural lands of the central west; and their posterity turned the trick with interest in the west. No wonder many persons took advantage of such an occasion as was presented in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific regions to help themselves where the public treasury was free for the asking, not having been carefully surveyed and evaluated. The large timber owners are not alone to blame for this history, which in considerable part is not what it might have been. It is time, then, to close the chapter and to turn our attention to present day events in so far as they are related to forest conservation. Now the State foresters and Federal forces closely co-operate with the large lumber producers along several lines. The Weeks Law, recently enacted, furthers co-operative effort in the prevention of forest fires. One of the first States to take advantage of this law was Wisconsin. Then came applications from New Hampshire, Montana and most other forest States. New York appears to lead in perfecting State patrol. Most States in the Appalachian province have perfected their patrol systems. Oregon appears to lead in the Pacific region.
Colorado of the Rocky Mountain province is fighting the Forestry Commission, the Conservation Commission and Federal agencies, under the guise of State Rights. Here the National Government has large reserves and is meeting the expense of fire protection. Certain State men are diligently spreading the doctrine of State Rights, claiming that the Federal Government should cede its domain to the State. Such a sentiment is echoed, but not so forcefully, in a few other western States. The opponents of this doctrine claim that the States do not have the means to patrol the forest, and that the State Rights people are making the campaign for selfish reasons—to secure ownership of the forest.
During the year, many cities and States added to the area of their parks and forest reserves. The Maryland Legislature voted $50,000 for this purpose. The Appalachian bill passed the last Congress, providing funds for use in establishing reserves in the Appalachian province. A start in this development has been made at several places. It is reported, however, that land speculators are interfering with the project by securing options on land that is wanted for the reserves.
The work in general tree planting and forestation progressed about as usual. Promoters handle eucalyptus propositions in California with varying degrees of success. Many States, especially in the middle west, are planting catalpa for the production of posts. One of the largest problems in several States, as in Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and Michigan, is that of utilizing the cut-over land. Some of this is suitable for farming, but much of it is classed as forest land. The problem then is one of reforestation, which cannot be done economically on most of the land because of high tax. The tax problem is closely related to and by many thought to be the controlling feature in the reforestation of land in private ownership. The Wisconsin and the Oregon Conservation Commissions are studying the problem. Louisiana has passed laws intended to promote timber planting on large holdings.
A few States published helpful literature on economic species of trees suitable for forestation, shade and decorative purposes. A little volume by the New Jersey Forest Commission, title “Planting and Care of Shade Trees,” is a model that other States may well follow.
Following in line with the recommendations of this Congress, and in harmony with the policies of state foresters and the Federal Bureau, considerable progress was made during the year in forest surveys and forest studies. Fully half of the States are doing this work under the direction of their geological surveys, forest bureaus, or Conservation Commissions. Maryland and Rhode Island have completed such surveys.
Several large lumber producers report improvements in the way of saving practically all of the timber. When one wants to cite an example of extreme waste in lumbering, he usually refers to the Pacific region, perhaps not realizing that the method of utilization may be determined by commercial limitations. Be that as it may, it is pleasing to know that some companies in the West, as for example, the Smith Lumber & Manufacturing Company, are installing by-product plants. The company above named is building a fiber plant to utilize the waste mill products by the sulphate process, and to extract the turpentine from the red fir.
VITAL RESOURCES.
More than usual progress has been made in recent years in learning that living things, whether forest, forage, cereal crops, game, fish, farm animals or man, are natural resources subject to development.
Perhaps the greatest result of the Conservation movement is found in its helpfulness in improving the life and lot of people. Such a stimulus is needed, for it certainly is time society should conserve its men and women not only in working efficiency but in fitness to be fathers and mothers as well.
Most States have departments to promote good seed, fish and game resources, and the breed and health of animals. Some of the publications issued by these departments are most attractive and valuable as, for example, the reports on birds by the North Caroline Geologist-Natural History Survey.
More than usual State activity is now put forth in improving the stock, health, life and working efficiency of people. To further this end there is inspection of water, milk, food, drugs, and factories. Several States are making preliminary sanitary surveys; others conduct investigations under the head of “conservation of people.” It has been learned that the public health can be markedly improved by observing a few simple safeguards that prevent sickness and disease. This calls for education, and perhaps for organized inspection of both the home and the school. State medical colleges begin to realize their duty in preventive medicine, and in some cases show a willingness to co-operate with health organizations in extension work in the conservation of public health. A number of the Southern States have taken important steps to rid their sections of typhoid, tuberculosis and the hook worm disease. Mississippi reports marked progress in this line. The Louisiana Health Train is known to all. The exhibits at this Congress indicate the great progress attained by Dr. Hurty and others in their fields. In closing the discussion in this department it should be noted that practically all parts of the country show a deep interest in the work of Dr. Wiley and the fight he has made for pure food. It is further evident that there is a strong demand for a Federal health department to work in co-operation with the state departments.
CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION.
Several State departments are related to Conservation work, as for example, the Geological Survey, Soil Survey, Natural History Survey, Forest Commission, Public Service Commission, Pure Food Department, Health Department, and Experiment Stations. So, since most of these have been in existence for several years, we should know that conservation work is not a new thing. The various forces were united into a definite movement, however, in 1908, following the Governors’ conference at Washington. Immediately after the adjournment of that meeting the Governors appointed State conservation commissions to serve their respective States. Unfortunately, many commissioners were selected mainly because of their political affiliations. In some cases the selections were made wholly on the basis of ability to serve. Such Commissioners were chosen from among public spirited citizens, and the State and university departments closely connected with industrial development.
Practically all commissioners chosen because of political affiliation did very little work. Most of them were not reappointed after changes in State administrations. The non-political commissions did better work as a rule, and soon received financial support and statutory authority from the State for a wider range of activity. The commissioners with this authority are now appointed by the Governor, or they become commissioners by virtue of their connection with certain university and State departments named in the State laws. The tendency is to make the commissions entirely non-political and to give them full charge of certain natural resource surveys and the State supervision of development, at least to some extent. A resolution passed by the Trans-Mississippi Commercial Congress of this year is of interest in this connection. It reads thus: “We favor the selection of Conservation Commissioners from among those who are actively engaged in State surveys, in the investigation of conservation problems, or in the development of public welfare.” It further urges that the work of such commissioners be done along non-political lines and in co-operation with Federal Conservation efforts. Most States have conservation commissions.
The best organized work is in New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas, Utah, West Virginia and New Mexico. The New York Commission has three commissioners, a secretary, assistant secretary, deputy commissioners and several engineers, all well paid. The Commission has full authority to investigate and supervise the development of water, forest, fish and game resources. Rhode Island stands next to New York in organization, duties, and results attained. Its commission has full charge of the natural history survey, supervises the development of natural resources, and conducts an educational campaign. Nebraska’s commission is non-political, composed principally of heads of departments in the University, who also direct the various State surveys. The duties of the commission are largely in supervision and education. A Conservation Survey unites the efforts of the University and State departments in systematic surveys of the water, soil and forest and in making careful field studies of the leading economic problems. Nebraska holds a Conservation Congress each year with a large attendance. This Congress has great value in unifying State development. It is under the guidance of the Commission, Conservation Survey and public spirited citizens and is an open forum for the discussion of development problems. The duties of other State Commissions are similar to those of the States above described. Utah is directing its effort mainly in the line of making non-political maps.
The Conservation Commissioners together with other persons directing State development have an organization called the National Association of Conservation Commissioners. It meets each year as a department of this Congress. The object of the association is co-operation, in which each State is able to learn of the progress attained in other States.
That the conservation activities in the various States are benefited by the different sessions of the National Conservation Congress is very evident. The influence also of the National Conservation Association is helpful.
In concluding this division of my report, I wish to emphasize the facts that the State conservation commission is coming into a broad field of work, that it must stand for the best interests of the State as a whole, that an important part of its activity is to unite the efforts of departments now existing in a co-operative work that has practical value to the State. Such commission must be composed of broad-minded men, preferably those who have a thorough acquaintance with the departments represented. The commissioners should be free from political entanglements, and refrain from using their position for selfish ends. They should stand for the greatest good of their States first, last and all the time.
Does your State have a commission of this kind?
SURVEY BASIS OF DEVELOPMENT.
The survey idea is now popular. In fact it may be abused in some cases, especially where the work is done with a lack of scientific spirit and undue rapidity. Such effort has no place in the conservation survey which seeks to determine useful facts, those really worth while in development.
In harmony with the spirit of the year which calls for the fundamentals, we have the following resolution by the Trans-Mississippi Congress, passed in its last session:
“Recognizing the natural resources as the physical basis of development, we urge the States of the Trans-Mississippi region to make surveys of their leading resources under competent direction, and to publish reliable reports upon the same. We favor such reorganization of the State conservation commissions as will qualify them to make inventories of natural resources, to study industrial problems, and promote the proper development of the respective States.”
This demands that Conservation be placed on a survey basis. Just that thing is the order in many States under the leadership of conservation activity and through the co-operation of State and Federal agencies. During the past year, progress was made in co-operating the work of the different surveys, making them of greater value to the people and State. It is now understood and agreed that the following lines of information should be determined and made available for use in the development of each State as soon as possible consistent with good work and reliable results and in about the order herein named. The points considered in the complete survey are:
A. Topography. By topography is meant the surface features of the land. Topographic maps have many uses in development. Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, and a few other States are now mapped.
B. Structure. By this we mean the underground make-up of a region, the kind and arrangement of the materials of the land. Structure is directly related to mineral resources, topography, water supply, and soils.
C. Surface Water and Drainage. This refers to the amount of run-off, to such as streams, lakes, marshes, and has importance in irrigation, navigation, fish culture, city water supplies, etc. Illinois is leading in this survey.
D. Ground Water. This is water in the land. It is the source of crop water and the largest source for domestic and town supplies. The amount of water held by the soil is even more important than the quantity of rainfall. The depth to the water table, and the quantity, and quality of well water are of great importance in agricultural regions.
E. Climate. The elements—temperature, sunshine, wind, humidity, and rainfall—are recognized as having importance and should be known for every part of our country. The latest movement is for facts in local climate, even that of the farm or certain parts of it, and of the soil.
F. Soils. The relation of soil to industry is generally known. The soil survey classifies and describes the soils as to origin and properties, and maps them accurately so that the farmer may know definitely the kinds and their distribution on his farm. Farm management demands intelligent comprehension of soil characteristics.
G. Native Life. The native plants and animals of a country represent the natural selection of the fittest for the conditions encountered. The life of a region reflects the topography, soil, and climate under which it lives. In new territory the native plant life reveals to the keen student much concerning the soil and climatic conditions. In older communities undisturbed patches of vegetation tell the same story. By studying such life the qualities needed in cultivated crops may be fairly well determined and the losses incident to haphazard experimenting avoided. Native life then needs to be considered in a rural survey because: (1) It gives a summary history of soil and climatic influences; (2) it may lead to economic production of certain native types of plants and animals; (3) it presents concretely the problem of utilization of waste lands; (4) it will give emphasis to the need of utilizing our lakes and streams as a source of food supply.
H. Social and Industrial Conditions. If a move into new territory is contemplated, the questions of vital interest are not only of the natural and industrial conditions but also in regard to social conditions. By this is meant the classes of people as to race and culture, and the opportunities offered for advance in social and intellectual lines. These characteristics of people are closely associated with their occupations. The pursuits of the people are largely dominated by the physical basis of industry. Hence the social survey must recognize this influence if it is to correctly interpret conditions as they exist. Data of most vital interest in the social rural survey pertain to the following lines: (a) History of settlement. (b) Condition of agriculture. (c) Education. (d) Religion. (e) Recreation. (f) Sanitation. The industrial conditions of a region are practically determined by its physical features. The development is further related to the biological and social life. Hence the industrial survey must be based on these fundamentals if it is to be comprehensive.
In closing this review of the fundamentals in surveys it should be understood that: 1. The physical and biological surveys should come first, since they are necessary for accurate work in other investigations. 2. The special surveys of industries, rural and urban life should be made from the common basis of physical and biological conditions and extended into their respective fields.
It should be recognized that the broad controls affecting industry are structure, topography, drainage, climate, soils and native life, but that they do not have equal importance in any and every locality. Any one of them may be the controlling feature with the rest of minor importance.
It is not a pleasing fact to know that most States have not yet accurately mapped their lands, waters and forests. The departments responsible for this work should receive adequate financial support and the people in turn should demand results.
What progress has your State made in these lines?
RELATION OF EDUCATION TO CONSERVATION.
The State universities of the Middle West especially are meeting their obligation to the people by training students for real work—for efficient service. Such institutions, by their instruction, surveys and extension departments further the development of practically every line of industrial activity in the State. From these centers are directed geological, soil, water, sanitary, social, farm management and other surveys. Consequently the professors and advanced students get a good work-out and the citizens are caused to look to the institution for assistance in practically every development problem that arises. The State universities that are giving the largest service in this line appear to be Wisconsin, Minnesota, Cornell Agricultural College, Illinois, and Nebraska. It is my great privilege to be connected with one of these.
Unmistakably, the present tendency is to associate the public service State departments and conservation activities more with higher education, taking them from the field of politics. This noticeable feature in the rearrangement of conservation activities of the past year is worthy of consideration by all States.
CONSERVATION OF BUSINESS.
The different lines of business are conserved in many ways. This applies to practical developments in improving the process involved in handling commodities all the way from manufacture to sale; to trade, in the direction of economy in buying, transportation and sales; to farming in improving methods of cultivation, the better care of stock, and in less buying on time; to more economic use of school and church buildings; to the building and maintenance of good roads and clean streets, and to the improvement of public service generally. So there is room for practical conservation in many lines. It prevents waste, increases efficiency, and thereby decreases the cost of commodities. A very general movement for good business is the feature of the year. It is promoting real business by demanding that it be done on the square and free from fraud. This is working a public good.
At another time, I will discuss the subject, “Land Frauds or Get-Rich-Quick Schemes,” with special reference to their effect upon real business.
CONCLUSIONS.
As a summary conclusion, you will permit me to enumerate the things that stand out in the progress of the year.
1. The prominence of Conservation on many State and National programs.
2. The tendency to place State development on a survey and fact basis.
3. Development of co-operation between State and Federal agencies.
4. Demand by the public for reliable land classifications, soil, sanitary and agricultural surveys.
5. Interest in soil fertility as a basis for agricultural development.
6. The affiliation of Conservation organizations with educational departments and removal from politics.
7. Discussion of Lakes-to-the-Gulf Route and success attained in presenting the cause of drainage in the Mississippi delta region.
8. Modernizing of State universities, making them of greater value to the State.
9. The determined demand for vocational training in the public schools.
10. A demand for less extravagance in public service.
11. Taxation of cut-over lands.
12. Perfection of forest control.
13. The very general recognition that people are the most important natural resource subject to development.
14. Increased regard for sanitation throughout the country.
15. Massachusetts minimum wage law for women.
16. A determined and widespread movement on the part of social workers to eliminate the social evil.
17. Widespread movement against fraud and the assistance given to the movement by the Postoffice and National Reclamation departments.
18. More than usual discussion of co-operative enterprises and methods of distribution.
19. Rapid progress in the building and maintenance of good roads.
20. A growing tendency for the citizens in every part of the country to outgrow provincialism; to come into respect and appreciation for the people and institutions of every State; to recognize the fact that the home State is but a part of the Union and larger world in which people live not to themselves alone but in helpful relationship with all others.
President White—This was a very interesting address, which we allowed to extend beyond the time, because it is a summary of Conservation work during the past year in all the States. Heretofore, we have had a report from a representative of each State, but it was thought advisable this year to have these reports condensed into one paper, a work which Dr. Condra has done most admirably.
The next address, which is of the greatest interest, is on the subject of “Human Life, Our Greatest Resource,” and the name of the gentleman who is to deliver it will be a sufficient guaranty that it will be replete with interest, and will be useful to every one of us who listens. I now introduce Dr. William A. Evans, of Chicago.
(Dr. Evans failed to return his manuscript for insertion in the Proceedings.)
President White—We must hasten on, for we have some other addresses that will be very interesting to the children. There are a great many present that have come no doubt to see the wild life pictures. So we shall have to hasten in order to reach them.
Dr. Bessey, who was to have been next on our program, will be here at 3:30 o’clock.