The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-19
HOBSON'S WORK IS
 JUST BEGINNING
More Expert Assistance Sought
 for Alabama
SPEAKS AT RALEIGH TODAY
Forestry Expert Wants the State to Create a Forestry Commission to Look After the Timber Land
 Owned by the State.

The educational tour of Congressman R. P. Hobson and his party of depart came to a close Friday night at Tusca- loosa, with one of the largest meetings of the series.
 Captain Hobson, Dr. J. A. Bonsteel, Will liam L. Hall and Private Secretary F. L. Clarkson passed through Birmingham yesterday and were well pleased with the results of the trip.
 Sam c. Lancaster, the good roads man, who accompanied the party, left Tusea- loosa yesterday morning for the state of Washington. where he Is engaged in as- sistlng the officials of that state in work ing out plans for system of improved highways. R. s. Wilson, the cotton cul- ture man, returned to Mississippi, where he Is engaged in cotton culture experi- mentation under the direction of the de- partment of agriculture of the United States.
 Hobson Goes to Raleigh.
 Captain Hobson left last night for Raleigh, N. C., where he will deliver the nrincpal address tomorrow at the un- yelling of a monument to Worth Bagley, wba was the first American killed in ser vice during the Spanish-American war. From Raleigh he will go to Washing ton. He has planned a conference at Washington for May 20 with officers of the department of agriculture to complete plans for the continuation of the work alr in VI 1iafr
 Dr. Bonsteel went to Atlanta, where he will begin a special investigation of the soil and agricultural conditions of the Piedmont section. MT. Hall went to Rome Ga, where he will organize the special Commission authorized by the last Con gross to make an investigation and pre- limlnary survey of the proposed Appa- lachean and White mountain forest reser- vation.
 Captain Is Enthusiastic.
 Captain Hobson, though somewhat wearied from the constant travelling and speaking of the past two weeks, was bright and cheerful and talked most en- thuslastically of the work that has been accomplished in his district The results are far better than he had dared to ex- pect, and the promise for still greater things Is very bright. He said
 T am more than pleased with the re- suit of the work of the past two weeks in the Sixth district. The people have shown great interest in every subject discussed and I feel certain that they will continue the campaign for improved con dtions in the rural sections that has been so ably begun by the department experts who accompanied me on the trip.
 These men talked in practical way to the people, on practical subjects that are of vital interest to them, and the intelligent interest with which every dis cussion was received Is very encourag- ing
 "Thls work has not been finished, but will be followed up closely May 25 l am to have conference in Washington with these experts and other department offl- cials and at this time plans will be dis cussed for putting some of our ideas into effect In the Sixth district. The department officials are very much
 interested in the movement and I have been assured that an example for the whole country will be made of my dis trlct. They are more than pleased with | the interest that has been shown by the people and will make a full test of the schemes I have suggested. My idea is that the machinery of the govern | ment should be more closely applied for the direct benefit of the people and es- l peciay the agricultural classes. The best way' to do this in my opinion is to put it's best men in the field where they will come in close personal contact with the | people to be benefited.
 To Station Three Cotton Men. T have already been assured that three men, instead of one will be put In the | Sixth district to cooperate with the farm CTS in the improvement of cotton cul- ture. At least one forestry expert will be placed in the district to advise with owners of timber lands as to the best methods of preserving timber.
 "I also assured that an expert soil man will be placed in the district. This mans duties will be to instruct the farm CTS in the interpretation of soils after Ley have been surveyed
 "In other words every agency of the agricultural department of the 1eueral government will be brought to ,..e door of the people of the Sixth district for the purpose of helping these people to im- prove their condition In every way pos sible. The efficiency for practical pur- poses of the department is to be given thorough test in the Sixth district of Alabama, and if 1t is successful. and 1 know 1t will be, I hope to see the work carried to every congressional district in the United States.
 "I am glad to see that Commissioner Wilkinson Is to extend this work of prac- tlcal education over the state.
 State Forestry Commission. MT. Hall. the forestry man, is prepar- | ing a plan for the establishment of q forestry commission by the state legisla- | ture that will be of great benefit to owners of timber lands and also to the | state, which owns something like 100000 acres of this class of property. His idea | is to have a commission and q forest com | mission who shall care for fhe preserya- I ton of timber on the same principle as l inc fish and game commission cares for | inc game fin the state. Mir. Hall will draft a bill and I will place 1t in the hands of | the legislators before the recess session for their consideration. We do not hope to secure all that is necessary at the | short session. in the way of legislation, 1 but we do hope to get the matter be uN.,