The Daily Missoulian., 1909-01-16

would meet the great variety of exist
ing conditions, and, at the same time,
secure the most productive use of each
niece of land. The whole effort of the
government in dealing with the forests
is directed to this end and set of |
rules and regulations based upon
practical administrative needs, and
conforming as nearly as possible to
scientific requirements, were drawn
up to put the plan into practical eff
feet.
The first move toward a more effec-
tive, businesslike basis, was TO place
the forest service under the classified
civil service This act made it possible
through competitive examinations to
secure the best available material for
putting the administration into effect.
The 500 men already employed were
transferred without examination, and
examinations were held in order TO Sc
cure more material
Division of Work.
From the experience gained through
the work of the general land office,
and from the data collected in the
field examinations OF the national
forests, the work was found to differ
entiate itself under the following six
headings:
/. General administrative supervi-
sion.
2. The management of timber lands. |
3. The management of grazing
| lands.
l. The administration OF lands other
than timber and grazing lands.
s. The study of forest products,
their use, marketing, mechanical !
| strength, preservative treatment, etc. |
| 6. The personnel and organization
| of that personnel. |
These six general headings include |
practically all the work of the ma
tional forest service and the general
policy can, l think, best be under
stood by taking up each line separate
ly and finally showing how they are all
CO ordinately related with one common
object in view.
In order to secure uniformity in the
work a central administrative office
is maintained in Washington to outline
matters of general policy and to Sc
sure the closest cooperation possible
in allied lines OF work. 1t is also
necessary to keep in touch with the
broadest phases of the question, IN Or
, der to outline and recommend to con-
. gress the necessary legislation needed
to bring the work to its highest effl-
cheney. This central administrative
t office also considers plans for cooper
I ative work with other branches of the
i government service, whereby mutual
0 assistance is secured in investigating
. problems which naturally come within
e the fields of another bureau or depart
r ment. The cooperative work with the
), bureau of entomology in investigating
: insect infection, with the bureau ot
r census in collection of lumber Statis-
tics, with the Indian service to assist
: in managing the Indian timber LANDS,
q with the bureau of plant industry In
e investigating forage grasses and graz
ing areas, and with the bureau of ami
II NAL industry in the determination OF
= predatory animals all show that CO.
lie operation Of each branch of the gov
is ernment engaged in special scientific
l. work is necessary to properly meet the
ID situation. But what is most needed, Is
ID the cooperation of the people of the
United states. Approaching this, the
he government is endeavorng, by issuing
j. bulletins, pamphlets, by furnishing
Of news items and photographs to the
te newspapers and magazines, to keep thu
public thoroughly in touch with al
ne lines of its forest work.
u Perfectns the Organization.
u, That a government bureau can act
~ ually subserve the interests of user
was at first a matter of some skepti
,d cism. The fear was that such worl
would be conducted from remot
of government office by men unfamilia
h,, with local needs. The policy of tn
government in handling the nauona
forests is to place the responsibilit
with the man on the ground, who l
. trained under practical conditions. h
~ is the man who takes action, and 1T
~. only when questions of especial I'm
~ portance arise that the matter Is re
sa ferred to central office. In line wit
- this policy to place the administratio
on the ground, the national forest
49,. were divided into districts. All tn
st work, with the exception of gener;
supervision and administration, Ws
49,. transferred to a point which cou
=. serve as central headquarters for
district. The district office now ac
~, in an executive capacity on all ma
- ters, except in taking final action
- cases of especial importance, whi'
- | are referred to the office at Was
w. ington.
49,. One of the most important aspec
ors of forest administration, naturally,
the management OF the timber. 7
ono object is not to preserve the fores
-, because they are beautiful, thou
g. that Is good in itself; nor because tn
to- are a home for game, though tn;
too is good in itself; but the prima
object of the forest policy is to U
the timber in such a manner as "
insure the continuance of prospero
ma communities. Following out this p
sion icy in it's practical application:
,ha- timber on the national forests whi
ress can be safely cut and for which the
ter is actual need is for sale; applicable
ure, to purchase are invited; green timt
act may be sold except where its reno
tire makes second crop doubtful, redu'
sur the timber supply below the point
sec safety, or Injuries the streams; all dc
york timber is for sale. Free use Is grant
iyen for fuel, fencing, etc. Local needs
ince always first considered before the sa
for are made, and the cutting of the II
re st Der is done under local supervision q