Conference of Governors

Listing and description of seven commissions, conferences, and congresses convened by President Theodore Roosevelt, five of them in the last year of his presidency. These gatherings dealt with land use and the conservation of natural resources. Each entry notes when the meeting occurred and includes the scope of its mandate. A text box containing contact information for the Theodore Roosevelt Association also appears in this article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1999

John A. Gable provides a comprehensive accounting of the conservation record of President Theodore Roosevelt, and in ten quotations dating from 1905 to 1912, Roosevelt explains his philosophy of conservation. Roosevelt stresses that natural resources must be carefully managed for future generations and that conservation is the most important issue facing the country. Gable lists the 21 reclamation projects, 150 national forests, 51 bird refuges, and 4 national game preserves established by Roosevelt during his presidency. Gable also lists the 5 national parks and 18 national monuments created during Roosevelt’s tenure. He also notes the 7 different commissions and conferences called by Roosevelt during his presidency to study issues related to conservation and natural resources.

Photographs of Roosevelt at the dedication of the Roosevelt Dam in Arizona, at a federal bird refuge in Louisiana, and on horseback supplement the text.

A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association along with the members of its executive, finance, and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace committees is included in the article.

Edward P. Cliff provides a brief history of Theodore Roosevelt’s leadership of the conservation movement. Cliff highlights Roosevelt’s role in founding the Boone and Crockett Club, emphasizes the importance of Roosevelt’s friendship with Gifford Pinchot and their role in establishing the Forest Service, and notes the use that Roosevelt made of the Antiquities Act to create national monuments.

A photograph of Roosevelt at the dedication of the Roosevelt Dam and an illustration of Roosevelt in a dynamic speaking pose accompany the article.

Comments and Context

President Roosevelt points to the “Taft boom” tree in which hides William H. Taft, in front of a group of “the governors.” Roosevelt steps on a hatchet labeled “attacks on Taft.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

This cartoon by Nelson Harding appeared during the Conference of Governors that President Roosevelt convened at the White House.

A group of “governors” dance around a large President Roosevelt. William Jennings Bryan watches from the background.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Through 1908, Joseph Harry Cunningham of the Washington Herald was improving as a caricaturist and a graphic conceptualist. It was a requirement more urgent than felt by the nation’s other political cartoonists, perhaps, as his local news was America’s national news.

President Roosevelt invites George Frederick Kunz to attend the Conference of Governors in his capacity as President of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. The conference will address the conservation of natural resources, with its purpose defined by the Inland Waterways Commission. In addition to the governors, Roosevelt is inviting representatives of many national associations, United States Representatives and Senators, and other members of the federal government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-05

President Roosevelt invites George M. Kober to attend the Conference of Governors, which will address the conservation of natural resources. Its purpose will be defined by the Inland Waterways Commission. In addition to the governors, Roosevelt is inviting representatives of many national associations, United States Representatives and Senators, and other members of the federal government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-20

President Roosevelt has received the acknowledgement of invitation from Governor Woodruff of Connecticut regarding the conference of governors on the topic of the conservation of natural resources in May, and hopes Woodruff can attend.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-31

President Roosevelt (front row, eighth from left) stands in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., with attendees of the Conference of Governors, which took place May 13-15, 1908.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

Creation Date

1908-05

President Roosevelt tells Earl Grey of Canada about his recent Conference of Governors on the topic of conservation of natural resources. In recognition that this topic does not exist in a vacuum, Roosevelt invites Grey to appoint representatives to send to a conference held in Washington, D.C., on the topic of international cooperation to conserve natural resources. Roosevelt has sent a similar invitation to President Porfirio Díaz of Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-24

President Roosevelt tells President Díaz of Mexico about his recent Conference of Governors on the topic of conservation of natural resources. In recognition that this topic does not exist in a vacuum, Roosevelt invites Díaz to appoint representatives to send to a conference held in Washington, D.C., on the topic of international cooperation to conserve natural resources. Roosevelt has sent a similar invitation to the government of Canada.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-24

President Roosevelt informs Governor Comer that, in accordance with the suggestions coming out of the Governor’s Conference, he has appointed a National Conservation Commission to advise him on matters related to the conservation of natural resources. He encloses a letter of appointment which names the various members of the commission. Similar letters were sent to the governors of each state and territory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-08

President Roosevelt outlines the creation and mission of the Inland Waterways Commission, and praises Chairman Burton for the work it has done so far. Roosevelt hopes that the Commission’s recommendations will be enacted by Congress soon, and directs the Commission to continue its work pending further action. He announces his plans to increase the Commission from nine members to twelve, and through executive order will direct executive departments to allow the Commission access to their records.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-05

President Roosevelt reflects to his son Kermit Roosevelt on the events of the past week in Washington, D.C. He believes that the Conference of Governors on conservation will be the end of his “very active work” as President, as focus will turn to the nominee after the convention. Roosevelt hopes that Kermit will make the most of his year at Harvard before the African safari, and that after their return, he will dedicate himself to working hard and not become restless and unsatisfied.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-17

President Roosevelt tells Speaker Cannon that he thinks that Congress must pass the enclosed bill to continue the Inland Waterways Commission with a $20,000 appropriation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-13

Following Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot’s recommendation, William Loeb sends a letter inviting Charles Benjamin Dudley to attend the Conference of Governors. He asks Thomas R. Shipp to include the necessary enclosures.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-11

William Loeb encloses an invitation for Frank Dale LaLanne to attend the Conference of Governors. He asks Thomas R. Shipp to include all the necessary enclosures.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-11

President Roosevelt invites Frank Dale LaLanne to attend the Conference of Governors in his capacity as president of the National Board of Trade. The conference will address the conservation of natural resources, with its purpose defined by the Inland Waterways Commission. In addition to the governors, Roosevelt is inviting representatives of many national associations, United States Representatives and Senators, and other members of the federal government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-11

President Roosevelt is sorry that Governor Hughes cannot stay longer at the Conference of Governors, but is glad he will come to dinner and attend the opening session. The three representatives for New York are excellent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-11

President Roosevelt invites Cass Gilbert to attend the Conference of Governors in his capacity as president of the American Institute of Architects. The conference will address the conservation of natural resources, with its purpose defined by the Inland Waterways Commission. In addition to the governors, Roosevelt is inviting representatives of many national associations, United States Representatives and Senators, and other members of the federal government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-07