Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-08
OUR FOREST TREES
Sixteenth Annual Meeting of American As
ISOLATION in Progress.
Facts shown I'm the Report of the
Executive Com mfttee-Pr0minent
Members Present.

Ine american Forestry Association held
the first session of its sixteenth annual
meeting at the Cosmos Club this morning.
The meeting adjourned at II O'clock the
members of the association going to lunch
at the Hotel Wellington, at the invitation
of the local members. The afternoon ses-
sion began at o'clock, and officers will be
elected before adjournment this afternoon.
Gen. Francis H. Appleton of Boston pre-
sided over the morning meeting and ueliv-
| cred the opening address. The main part
of the time allotted to the morning session
was devoted 10 hearing reports of various
committees and passing a resolution COM
mending Gov. Black and the legislature of
New York for the liberal policy displayed in
the appropria tons for the extension If the
state forests.
The report Of the executive committee
which was read by Dr. b. f. Fernow, chair
man of the association, and who is also
chief of the forestry division. Department
of Agriculture, contained matter of much
interest to those whose sympathies are en-
listed in behalf of the forestry movement.
1t was, in trief, as follows:
Little Progress.
During the preceding year there seemed
to be little tangible progress In the forestry
movement, but in reality there was a quiet
hut determined interest making itself felt
in all sections of the country, and the work
of past years has at length brought fruitiOn
in many directions. and marked progress
has been made during the past year. The
subject CT federal legislation, which has
occupied the attention of the association
for the past ten years. is naturally one of
great interest. President Cleveland in
creased the existing area of unmanaged
forest reservations, to twice it's size. L he
new reservations were annulled in a clause
inserted in the sunGry civil appropriation
bill. but did not become i law. as the Pres
ident refused to sign it. In the Fifty-tiith
Congress. extraordinary session, the amend
ment prepared by this committee was IN
troGuced in the Senate. and, after some
changes. was attached to an appropriation
of SljO.GO0 for survey OF the reservations
and was passed with the proviso: That the
lands embraced in such reservations those
last proclaimed and annulled not other
wise disposed of before March l. 1S,S, shall
again become subject to the operations OF
said orders and proclamations as now ex-
listing or hereafter modified by the Presl-
dent
1.-The United States geological survey has
entered upon the survey of reservations
With the view of securing more careful
delimitatioE of the reservations in dis
pute. The general land office Is attempt
ing to carry out in part the provisions of
the administrative clause. If the forest
fire legislation passed by the Fifty-fourth
Congress, providing penalties for careless
ara malicious firing of public timber lands
can be enforced most important step
forward is attained.
The state of New York has appropriated
this year one million dollars toward in
creasing its holdings in the Adirondacks:
Pennsylvania has voted the. purchase OF
three iG,GOO-acre reservations on the water
sheds of three river systems. ana mas made
PROVISION for increasing these holdings by
lands forfeited for non-payment OF taxes.
Pennsylvania has certainly made the most
rapid strides in forestry owing 10 per
sistent propaganda by its state forest com
missioner and the State Forest Association,
supported BY its journal Forest Leaves
Trensurer's Report.
The report of tie treasurer was then
read. and showed quite a large surplus to
the credit of the association. The secre-
tary's report showed a large increase in
membership, and, altogether the associa-
ton is in { fiourishng condition, and much
good work may be expected the coming
year.
Invitations for the summer meeting were
received from the State Forestry Associa-
ton of Florida. the board of trade OF Los
Angeles, Cal; the chamber of commerce
of Omaha Neb, and the Association for
the Advancement of Science of Boston. In
all probability the association will hold its
summer meeting in Boston, and at the con-
clusicn of the sessions make tour of the
White mountain forests, under the
pices of the New Hampshire Forestry As
ISOLATION.
The association has in contemplation the
publication of d monthly journal, to be
known as the Forester, and devoted solely
to the dissemination of forestry ideas and
Information.
Among the prominent members of the
association in attendance at the meeting
are: George II. Moses secretary of the
New Hampshire forestry commission; War
I en- Higley Of New York city, the vice
president of the association; Col. William
+. Fox, superintendent of the state forests
of New York; Clifford Pinchot of New
York. John Clifford of New Jersey, editor
of the Forester, and Prof. B. f. Fernow
of the Department of Agriculture: Fred
erick H. Newell and Harry Gannett of the
United States geological survey; Geo. B.
Whttlesy and Edwin A. Bowers of this
city.