The copper era., 1909-06-10
Appeal is Made in Behalf of Forests.

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 The presidents of the leading rail- roads of the country have just re- ceived letter from Clifford Piuchot, United States Forester, calling upon them to practice forest conservation and better timber utilization. In his Slettcr the forester says:
 ''I am writing to call your attention again to some phases of a subject to which I know you must already have given much thought the conservation of our forests. The report of the National Conservation Commission shows that we are cutting our forests three times faster than they are growing; that much large timber and young growth are destroyed yearly by fire; that as a nation we have used wood wastefully and extravagantly; that the only way we can get the timber we shall need in the future is to keep all our forest land constantly growing trees; and that the longer we delay action the greater will be the pinch of timber shortage later on.
 "One-dtth of our remaining timber is in public forests, and on these for ests the nation and the states are practicing forestry. Four-ffths of our timber is privately owned, and it is being cut almost exclusively for present profit without regard to the future. The problem of providing a timber supply can not be solved by the National government alone, by the state alone, nor by individuals alone; all must work together.
 ''Since the railroads are among the largest consumers of wood, they will suffer heavily from the much higher prices and the actual scarcity of tim Der which will occur if our forests are not conserved. Railroad com pauies can most advantageously un- dertake both the growing of timber and the economical utilization of the produc'. They have a steady demand for timber, the extent of which can be largely anticipated, and they need much small timber of kinds which can be grown in a relatively short time.
 "Each railroad has it's own especial timber problems which must be worked out to meet the given Condi- tions. At the same time there are certain lines of general policy which can be proftably adopted by many roads. They are:
 '1. The use of chemically treated ties wherever possible.
 "2. The use of so-called inferior woods, as, for example, black gum and ioblolly pine, for ties, which will reduce the drain on white oak, and which is entirely practicable if the ties are treated.
 "3. The purchase and management of land bearing mature timber which can be used immediately, and of sec ond-growth timber which will meet the needs of the future. Such lands l if properly managed will insure per petual supply of ties and lumber at the most of production.
 "4. The planting of trees upon nonagricultural land owned by the company. which does not now contain sufficient young growth to produce a timber crop.
 "5. Cooperation with other roads | in the adoption of standard speci6ca- tions for ties and timber and for the treatment of them. Cooperation | with timberland owners and the states l in fire prevention. and in bringing | about conditions which will make the practice of forestry profitable.
 The are in substance the recom- mendations of the subcommittee on Forest Supplies of the American Railway Engineering and Mainten ance of Way association. The adoption of these recommenda tions and the appointment Of technical men to cary them out will, it seems to me, be wise action for any railroad. The influence of their general adop- tion would be far reaching and most beneficial.
 ''I should be very glad to discuss the matter more in detail with you at your convenience, or to be of use in any other way"
 Responses which show much inter- est are being received, and it is pre- sumed that definite action along the lines mentioned will result.
 Espee Surveyors Working Through