New-York tribune., 1907-11-05
SOUNDS TIMBER ALARM
Supply Nay Run out in Tzcentu
Years, Says Dir. Pinchot.

Washington. Nov. 4-''In twenty years the timber
fupply In the United States on government re-
serves and private holdings at the present rate NJ
cutting viii be exhausted, although It is possible
that the growth OF that period might defer ,b.
arrival of the famine another five wears"
This assertion was made to-day by Clifford Pin
caot' the government forester. who has Just re-
turned from six months inspection trip. during
which he travelled five thousand miles
In sounding his warning Mr. Pinchot urged .ba.
the danger OF the situation should not he rn6.r
estimated He said the United States uses more
timber than any other country and that every
man. woman and child would be affected He de-
cried the policy OF discounting the future of IN.
country by failure TO protect natural resources
and advised every one who has not already do,
go TO read President Roosevelts speech at Memphts
this general subject
About one-hfth of the forest area of the country
ts in government reserves but Mr. Pinchot called
attention 10 the fact that privately owned tim
her lands are better than the government reserves
hs general rule the government does not control
one-hfth OF the timber supply. The forest service
VIII ask for money and order to extend the
service' and will push the work of reforestng the
6enuded timber lands
Mr. F1nchot said, however. that II is utterly be
yond the possibility of the service meet the sit
uation and prevent serious trouble. One hope en-
tertained is the Appalachian forest An effort will
he made TO promote the growth there.
scheme advocated by the state forester of
Nalfornls Is being watched with a great deal Of
interest Under the police powers Of the state tba
forester is endeavoring 10 protect the watersheds
and prevent private owners from devastating these
lands IN such manner will inture irrigation ~
lands below. If this plan works we'll the govern
rlent forester believes it will taken up in other
states. and the federal authorities will be aided
greatly by the cooperation.
In speaking Of the protection of the natural re-
sources. Mr.. Pinchot said there changing senti
ment throughout the country and that people are
beginning 10 the right to such resources
does not carry with It the right TO destroy them
The forest service will make additional efforts
educate the people along this line
Ny. P1nchot produced figures 20 show that at the
present increase in the value OF timber land the
owners Of such land are making more money bv
letting the timber develop they would by cut
ting IT, marketing It and putting the proceeds al
interest
President Roosevelt expects TO call conference
tn Washington shortly OF governors OF states and
experts IN the study of natural resources. The
conference will bs for the purpose OF developing
sentiment in favor of the administrations policy of
looking into the future IN the matter OF conserving
the natural resources, such timber, COAL oil and
gas, and the various minerals
It IS believed by administration officials that when
the people realize that the Increase in lumber prices
that time. based net on actual shortage of
supply, but the fact that the owners Of private
tracts OF timber land merely looking into the
future the government policy will be Endorsed with
out question.