The Governors’ Congress

880 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ling into the night; but, like the great luminary which her life typified, she will surely rise again on the morrow, glorious, perfected, triumphant, to continue, unhindered and intensified, the thousand virtues for which on earth she was known and loved of her friends. Salt Lake City, Utah. THE GOVERNORS' CONGRESS. One of the most important events in the history of the Nation occurred when the governors of the various states and other men of eminence were called together in conference by President Roosevelt, to consult regarding the natural resources of the country and devise ways and means for their preservation. The Conference assembled on May 13, 1908, and remained in session three days. Utah was especially honored in the fact that Governor Cutler was chosen a member of the committee of five on resolutions, the only committee named at the Conference. The other members were Governors Blanchard of Louisiana, Fort of New Jersey, Davidson of Wisconsin, and Ansel of South Carolina. The resolutions prepared by this committee were adopted by the Conference without a dissenting vote. They pledged the States and the Nation to the policy of preserving such natural resources as timber, coal, water, soil, human life, €tc. , made provision for the perpetuation of the Conference and for later meetings on the call of the President, and made a clear and complete statement of the work to be done by the Conference. Provision was also made for the appointment of State Commissions on Conservation. At a later time, when two committees were named to make investigation and secure the best data avail ible as to the methods of conservation adopted by other countries, and report to a subsequent meeting of the Conference, Utah was again honored by the appointment of Senator Reed Smoot as chairman of one of these committees. He and Congressman Burton, chairman of the other committee, have gone to Europe to spend some time in investigating the subject of preserving natural resources. After their return, another conference will be called, presumably in December, to elaborate the plans they will be prepared to submit. At the Conference held in May, each Governor was authorized to take with him three conferees. Governor Cutler invited Messrs. W. W. Riter, Frank B. Stephens, and James H. Mays to accompany him. By special invitation of the President, Andrew Carnegie, Wm. J. Bryan, James J. Hill, and John Mitchell attended the Conference, and gave valuable suggestions on different phases of the subject of conservation.