The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-06-19
RAILROAD PRESIDENTS.
Are Called Upon to Practice Forest Con-
servation and Better Wood Utilization.


are Called Upon to Practice Forest Con-
servation and Better Wood Utilization.
Washington, June l9.--The presidents
Of the leading railroads Of the country
have just received a letter from Clifford
Pinchot United States Forester, calling
upon them to practice forest conserya-
ton and better timber utilization. In
his letter the forester says
Il am writing to call your attention
again 10 some phases Of subject 70
which know You must already have
given much thought conservation
of our forests. The report Of the Ma
tlonal Conservation Commission shows
that we are cutting our forests three
times faster than thew 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 il TO keep OIL our
forest land constantly growing trees;
and that the longer we delay action the
greater win be the pinch u timber
shortage later on.
"0ne-hfth 81 our remaining timber is
ia public forests. and on these forests
the nation and the states are practi.
cling forestry. Four,nrths Of our timber
Is privately owned, and It IS being cut
almost exclusively for present profit
without regard to the future. The prob.
lem Of providing q timber supply can
not be Solved By the National Govern
meut alone. by the states alone, nor
BY individuals alone; al must work TO-
eether
.'since the railroads are among the
largest consumers Of wood. they viii
suffer heavily from the much higher
prices and the actual scarcity 81 timber
which win occur If our forests are not
conserved. Railroad companies can
most advantageously undertake both
the growing 81 timber and the econo-
mieai utilization Of the product. They
have steady demand for timber, the
extent of which can be largely antici
pated, and they need much small timber
Of kinds which can be grown in re-
latively short time
each railroad has its own especial
timber problems which must be worked
out 70 meet the given conditions. AZ
the same time there are certain lines
Of general policy which can be proftably
adopted by the many roads They ares
Il. The use Of chemically treated
Ties wherever possible,
~. The use of so-caled inferior
woods. as, for example, black gum and
loblolly pine for ties, which win reduce
the drain on white oak. and which IS
entirely practicable if the ties are treat
ed.
80. The purchase and management
If land bearing mature timber which
can be used Immediately, and Of second
growth timber which viii meet the needs
OF the future Such lands II properly
managed will insure perpetual supply
Of ties and lumber at the cost Of pro
dnctinn,
"a. The planting Of trees upon non
agricultural land owned by the company,
which does not now contain sufficient
young growth to produce a timber crop.
S. Cooperation with other roads in
the adoption Of standard specifications
for ties and timber and for the treat
ment Of them. Cooperation with tim
berlsnd owners and the states in ERE
prevention. and tn bringing about con
ditions which will make the practice Of
forestry profitable,
aThese are In substance the recommen-
dations Of the subcommittee on Forest
Supplies Of the American Railway Engi-
neering and Maintenance of Ways as
soeiato The adoption Of these recon
mendations and the appointment Of
technical men to carry out will It'll
seems to me, be wise action for any
railroad. The influence Of their general
adoption would be far reaching and
most beneficial
Il should be very glad to discuss the
matter more in detail with you at your
convenience, OF to be of use in any
other way
Responses which show much interest
are being received, and it is presumed
that definite action along the lines men
toned will result.