National Association of Conservation Commissioners
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION COMMISSIONERS.
This Association, consisting of Conservation commissioners and other persons connected with various departments of State development, held two sessions during the Conservation Congress. Several important subjects were considered, but most of the time was given to a discussion of the work done by certain departments connected with public service.
The first session considered State Surveys, their work and co-operation. As a result of this meeting an agreement was reached as to the order or sequence of the surveys, the object being to secure for the States the largest returns from each survey. The sequence of the surveys and the leading points to be emphasized, as decided by the commissioners, are as follows: (1) topography, (2) structure, (3) drainage, (4) ground water, (5) local climate, (6) soil, (7) plant and animal life, (8) social and industrial conditions. This order is thought to be most helpful so far as the surveys are concerned. It is also the natural order. It was plainly shown that several States have wasted time and money in taking up the various surveys in a way that does not develop these relationships. For instance, some States have started industrial and agricultural surveys before they have mapped the geology, topography and water resources. Such an order does not bring the best results. Furthermore, it is wasteful.
Several prominent directors of State surveys took part in the discussions of this session, among them being Dr. George W. Field, Dr. A. H. Purdue, Dr. F. W. DeWolf, Professor Kay, Dr. C. E. Bessey, Dr. C. H. Gordon, Dr. Frank W. Rane, Prof. George A. Loveland and Hon. J. E. Beal. Among the other speakers were Hon. George Coupland, Mr. Ellis, W. E. Barns, Henry A. Barker, H. E. Hardtner and Dr. H. H. Waite. Dr. David White, of the United States Geological Survey, gave valuable suggestions.
At the second session of the commissioners, the forest laws of Louisiana were discussed by Hon. H. E. Hardtner, ex-Chairman of the Louisiana Conservation Commission. Following this was a general discussion of forest laws and forest management. Hon. W. E. Barns, of the Missouri Conservation Commission, gave a talk on the improvements of lumbering in the South. Prof. Earl O. Fippin of the Agricultural College of Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., read a paper; subject, “The Soil Survey as a Means of Agricultural Improvement.” This paper was followed by discussion, in which the value of the soil surveys as it relates to State development, was brought out with considerable detail.
The officers elected for the ensuing year were: President, Dr. G. E. Condra, Lincoln, Neb.; Vice-President, Dr. George W. Field, Sharon, Mass.; Secretary, Henry A. Barker, Providence, R. I.