Proceedings of the Second National Conservation Congress at Saint Paul Part 31

Mr GIFFORD PINCHOT--Ladies and Gentlemen: I pray your indulgence for a moment while I try to say a little of what I think about "Uncle Henry"

Wallace. I call him "Uncle Henry" for the best of all reasons--that when a man has reached his age in a life of usefulness, he becomes, in a sense, the forebear of all the rest of us, and our affectionate esteem naturally expresses itself in calling him "Uncle"; and I say "Uncle Henry" Wallace because I love him. (Applause) I want to add, too, an expression of my highest respect for his character, for his achievement, and, above all, for his breadth of view, which covers intelligently and fully every interest for which this Conservation Congress stands. Mr Wallace lives in the center of the country; his main attention has been given to our central industry. His advice and a.s.sistance have been poured forth freely for that cla.s.s of citizens among us all who have the most to do with the fundamental occupation of conserving the earth and making it forever fruitful; and I deem it to be a most fitting nomination that the Committee has laid before you in suggesting his name.

Before I sit down I want, with your permission, to say a word, also about Captain White. Captain White and Mr Wallace stand together in my mind as two of the finest types of ripened American citizens (applause).

I am proud to say that I believe I enjoy the friends.h.i.+p of both. I have been a.s.sociated with Captain White for many years in Conservation work.

He was one of the first of the lumbermen--the very first of the lumbermen, I believe--to take an earnest and effective and active interest in Conservation. It was to his lands that the first cla.s.s from one of the great forest schools went to study lumbering and forestry on the ground; and at every point his helpful, wise, and effective a.s.sistance has been given to the movement for which this great Congress stands. I know that Mr Wallace will not mind my interjecting remarks about another man in seconding his nomination, however irregular it may appear. I wanted to say (and this is the only chance I have) what I think of Captain White; and I want to add that I shall make only one suggestion to Mr Wallace, if he is elected, and he will accept it or not as he pleases; but I shall certainly advise him to keep Captain White as Chairman of the Executive Committee. (Applause)

Mr President, I take the greatest pleasure in seconding the nomination of Mr Wallace. (Applause)

A DELEGATE--Mr President: I move that the rules be suspended, and that Mr Wallace be elected by acclamation.

The motion was seconded, put, and declared unanimously carried.

Mr BAKER--It gives me very great honor, Mr President Wallace, to present to you the gavel. No man will do more, to the extent of his ability, in supporting your administration and carrying it forward to success.

(Applause)

President WALLACE--Mr Baker, and Ladies and Gentlemen: Believe me, this is the greatest surprise of my life. No one had said a word to me about it until a few moments before I came into this room. I believe that if I had had time to think of it I would have declined, but in an unguarded moment, I said if the unanimous choice of this Congress I would do my best to serve you. I know I am undertaking a very great work; I know I shall need all the help of your wisest counsels. I shall probably make mistakes. The man who makes no mistakes is the man who does nothing (applause). I have made mistakes in other undertakings. It is a rule of my life not to mourn over the irreparable past, but to make the best out of the available future (applause); to do one day's work well, and be ready if possible to embrace the opportunities that may come tomorrow.

Now, I feel conscious of my inability to act as President of your organization. I have studiously avoided such offices in the past; I have studiously avoided taking office of any kind or cla.s.s; but this having been forced upon me, and the offer coming utterly without my knowledge--without a whisper of it, in fact--it gives me an opportunity of service which I will do my best to meet. I shall have to ask you to excuse me from serving tonight, for I am leaving on a train in a very short time. I shall ask you to wait, if I have the Executive Committee to appoint (as I am told I have), until I have time to study this Conservation movement from the organization's side. I shall make the best selections I can; I will do the very best that lies in me, and that is all that any man can do. (Applause)

I want to say to you that if there have been any factions in this organization, I know nothing of them (applause). I have no part in them.

I believe in the Conservation of the resources of the country. I believe that if this is to be done wisely we must imagine ourselves in the position of the men who have differences of opinion here. I realize that the Western people have peculiar difficulties; I realize that their position must be studied from their standpoint (applause)--that whatever help may be given them for the solution of their problems must be given; and if I am to be President of this organization, I will be President of a National organization (applause), and I will know no State (renewed applause), no faction, no party (renewed applause); and, so far as I am concerned, there will be no politics (great applause) in this a.s.sociation.

I thank you for this unexpected and unsolicited honor, and I accept it as an opportunity to serve the American people in this generation and perform a service which will be beneficial to generations yet unborn (applause); for I believe that the mission of this Nation is not to build great cities, not to be a world-power, not to ama.s.s wealth untold, but to develop character (applause) and manhood that can stand facing all the storms that blow, that can solve the problems as they come--a manhood that owes its highest obedience not to laws made by mortal man but to the laws made for human guidance by Almighty G.o.d. (Applause)

Professor CONDRA--Mr President, and Ladies and Gentlemen: Your Committee nominate for Executive Secretary Thomas R. s.h.i.+pp (applause), for Recording Secretary James C. Gipe, and for Treasurer D. Austin Latchaw.

I move the election of these nominees.

President WALLACE--It is moved that Thomas R. s.h.i.+pp be elected Executive Secretary. Is that motion seconded?

The motion was seconded from all parts of the house.

President WALLACE--It is moved and seconded that Thomas R. s.h.i.+pp be chosen Executive Secretary. Are there any remarks?

(Calls of "Question, question!")

Mr ROSS--Mr Chairman: I would like to have a little information on that subject. I would like to inquire whether Mr s.h.i.+pp occupies any position of trust or profit in the way of emolument under the United States or any State government?

(Calls of "Question!" "Regular order!" "Order!")

President WALLACE--The Chair is unable to give the Gentleman any information on that subject. The question is called for. All in favor, signify by saying "Aye." (Hundreds of voices: "Aye.") Contrary "No."

(Pause.) The motion is carried.

VOICES--"s.h.i.+pp, s.h.i.+pp!"

Mr ROSS--Mr Chairman--

President WALLACE--Has the Gentleman a motion to make?

Mr ROSS--I was recognized by the Chair and the previous question has not yet been voted upon.

President WALLACE--Has the Gentleman any motion to make the order of business?

Mr ROSS--I rise to a point of order. I have the floor. The Chairman recognized me and the previous question has not yet been voted. I ask for a matter of information.

President WALLACE--The Chair has no information to give except that the Gentleman is out of order.

Mr ROSS--I ask if Mr s.h.i.+pp occupies a position or employment in any capacity for the United States Government or any State or Territory.

President WALLACE--I don't know. The motion was duly put and was carried.

VOICE--"He is out of order."

President WALLACE--He is. The next nominee is James C. Gipe for Recording Secretary.

Mr ROSS--Does the Chair rule that I am out of order?

President WALLACE--I have, several times.

Mr ROSS--Thank you, sir. That is the cap sheaf.

President WALLACE--Is there a second to the nomination of Mr Gipe for Recording Secretary?

The nomination was seconded.

President WALLACE--Are there remarks on that question?

Many DELEGATES--"Question."

The motion was put and carried, and Mr Gipe was declared unanimously elected Recording Secretary.

President WALLACE--The Committee also recommend the election of D. A.

Latchaw for Treasurer. Is there a second to the motion for his election?

(The motion was seconded.) Any remarks on the motion?

VOICES--"Question."

The motion was put and carried, and Mr Latchaw was declared elected Treasurer.

Delegate HUNT--Mr President: The District of Columbia moves a vote of thanks to the Nominating Committee who have done their work so well and so pleasingly to this Congress.

The motion received a second, and was put and unanimously carried.

Mr ROSS--Will the Chairman please announce what the motion is? We didn't hear a word of it here.

The DELEGATE--That a vote of thanks be tendered to the Nominating Committee for the work which they have done so well and satisfactorily to this Congress.

Mr ROSS--Mr Chairman, I second that motion. (Laughter)

Colonel FLEMING JONES (of New Mexico)--Mr President: I understand that Governor Pardee is about to submit the report of the Committee on Resolutions, and I have a resolution here which I should like to see embodied in the report.