The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-01-07

That is. indeed, project which is
entitled to the neartiest support, but
without any purpose 10 make od1ous
comparisons. it may be accepted as
true that the preservation Of the
Appalachian forest is the duty most
Immediately before us and on that
great work We may in large measure
concentrate our efforts.
There is no remote disposition to
minimize the importance Of inland
waterway improvement, but When
We face the fact that We are indeed
securing waterway Improvement at
the very fountain head when we take
the Appalachians in hand we get
clearer idea Of the work which de-
mands most immediate attention. 1t
is not question as to which branch
Of the work is most important, but
which is most pressing NOW, and
the answer to that is, the Appala-
chian forest.
We can do. no better than present
some Of the more salient facts in
connection with forest preservation.
The Appalachian range, extending
from north Georgia to New England,
contains seventy-hve million acres Of
ground on which hard wood trees are
growing. or can be made to grow as
al agricultural crop.
It is our only remaining source OF
hard wood supply and at the pres
ent rate Of cutting will be exhausted
in sixtesn years.
The Appalachians are the source
/ of all The important southern streams,
and the forest covering is Of vital
! Importance to them in thvir supply
of water and evenness Of flow.
It is estimated that the south has
three million horse power in these
streams worth yearly, when develop
ed sixty millions dollars, meaning an
investment in the south Of three hum
dred million dollars, saving fifteen 20
twenty million yearly Oh our coal
bill. We have but made beginning
in this development.
Twenty per cent Of our forests IS
already cut and its effect is shown
; in longer and more frequent and
more damaging flood periods leigh
teen million dollars damage in one
year in the south alone) and longer
Jew water periods in the summer
months.
This condition has already cut
| down our estimated power largely
ESTIMATED by forty per cent), and
constitutes serious and real menace
to our water power and to the water
supply of our cities and towns.
Our streams are rapidly filling
with sand, silt and detritus, and navi-
cation of our important streams
threatened.
Larger and more costly dredging
operations are yearly required to
keep our navigable streams opea and
it has been stated that the sums we
! shall soon be compelled to spend year.
ly on dredging, harbor works, JET
ters, ets., will pay the entire cost of
the proposed national forest.
Forest perpetuation, under nation
al forest laws, means "perpetuation
through use.' Trees are cut under
proper methods, planted and raised
under scientific direction and the pro-
.pcsed national forest in the Appala-
chians would mean not only perpe-
tual supply of timber, but a freedom
from most Of the evils that con-
,tinuanca Of present methods must
inevitably bring upon us.
Forest perpotuatioa is practical,
sane. profitable in actual returns on
the money invested, and the results
cannot be questioned.
It is Of supreme Importance to the
entire south, and to its support there
should be rallied the aggressive work
and aid Of the whole south.
It is Of supreme Importance that
the bill now before congress should
be passed at this session; and if it
passed the senate at the last session,
and was defeated in the house
largely through the indifference, or
the open opposition, Of our southern
members.
The facts come home to us when