Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/169

THEODORE ROOSEVELT 133 Conservation. More peculiarly his own than the South American, the Trust or even perhaps the humane policies, is Mr. Roosevelt s splendid at tempt to stop the despoiling of our continent by water companies, land companies, lumber companies and all companies which would squat upon valuable fragments of the planet, and, keeping everybody out who could not pay excessive toll, selfishly exhaust natural supplies, regardless of the future s needs. Besides the forest reserves and regulations of timber cutting, the prevention of forest fires and provision for reforestation, a number of kindred matters fall under the general head of Conservation. An Act providing for the preservation of Niagara Falls and prohibiting the diversion of water, except under certain conditions and with the consent of the Secretary of War, was passed June 29, 1906. If certain corporations using electric power end by having their way, Niagara Falls will be destroyed. The improvement of inland waterways, repeat edly urged in Mr. Roosevelt s messages to Con gress, was got at a little nearer by his appointment of the Waterways Commission, March 16, 1907. In May of the following year he invited a Con ference of Governors at the White House to dis cuss this subject. The International Commission, composed of Americans and Canadians, had re-