The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-01
LUMBERMEN
 FAVOR BILL Claim of John H. Wal
 lace.
SECRETARY OF COMMISSION
However, the Fight on the Bill
 Grows Daily.
Timber and Turpent1ne Operators Alike, Unite In Atteeking What They Regard as Severe
 Provfsfons.

It is the claim of Hon. John H. Wal lace. IT,, Secretary of the State Con- mission of Forestry. that many con servative lumbermen and timber men in Alabama are in favor of the forestry bin, introduced by Senator Reese In the Senate. He declares that the leg islation represents the careful thought of prominent men who have studied the situation in Alabama and predict that some check must be enforced by the State against the rapid deforesta- ton of Aiabama's arboreal resources.
 Daily the fight on the bill seems to grew in some Quarters Timber and turpentine operators alike unite in at- tacking what they regard as too se- we're provisions in limiting the size of trees that may be cut. They assert that the enactment of the law would result in bankrupting every mill op- orator in the State.
 On the other hand, MT. Wallace claims that there is justice in the mea sure, that it will do moro good in the long run to the land owners them selves than to any other individuals and that the State in this step is only exercising the sovereign right to reg ulate a resource that Is rapidly disap- bearing from the assets of Alabama.
 Tn discussing the bill MT. Wallace last night said:
 "The bill looking to the preservation of the forests of Alabama intends harm to no one, but is merely designed to protect the growing timber of the State. The people of Alabama have awakened to the realization that prompt and decisive legislative action Is important in order to save our for ests from complete annihilation. With in fifteen years. the South will be prae- ticalIy stripped of timber and our peo- pie will be prectpitated into the hor- TOTS of Q lumber famine. Each year our streams are becoming less navtga- ble owing to deforestation: over S60,- 100000 worth of timber is destroyed every year by fires which are started by railroads, and all railroad companies operating within the State under the new bill, are required to keep their respective rights-of-way clear of grass, stubble and other .infIammable mate rial Standard spar& arresters are likewise required to Oe used on rail- road locomotives
 Resources Being Exhausts&
 "A vast economic resource Is being rapidly exhausted in Alabama and con- ditions affecting prosperity of wide areas are rapadiy changing for the worst. Tt 4s the purpose of our for estry bill Co corpect the present extrav- agant misuse of forest wealth and to insure c steady and permanent yield of neeessary timber for the future.
 '-rhe most important problems with which the bill seems to deal are: l. The protection of the forests from fire: 2. More conservative methods of lum- bering; :. Less wasteful methods of furpentining; ( The inauguration of a service to suppress forest fires; s. More equitable assessment of timber lands; (. Reforestation by planting.
 sEn0rmous damage done by forest fires has never been fully comprehend cd by the people. These connagrations and young trees which would perpet- uate the forests. The rich humus or vegetable covering is burned away, thereby impovishing the soil The cut ting of small timber should be avoided and the trees allowed to mature. The tendency now is to convert every tree into lumber, with no thought of re- turning later for another cut The re- suit is that all possibility of lumb Der for the future on the lands of big lumber corporations is obliterated.
 ''The wasteful methods Incident 10 tnrpentining should DC checked No trees should be boxed which are not afterwards to be removed, and once logging Is completed. turpentining also should cease. The practice of boxing young trees. left from logging, is ex- ceedingly unwise and if continued will result in the total destruction of the piney-woods forests.
 The right of the State to exercise supervision over private interests. which concern the public welfare, has long been accepted. In its sovereign capacity the State has the authority to regulate the use of private timber lands and prevent unnecessary waste and de- structive exploitation of timber, In or der to insure future stand of trees on lands within the confines of the State. With view of promoting the future prosperity of our people. 1t is import ant that such regulations and restric- tfons be put into force in Alabama.
 Tn many umbering corporations trees are cut So small that there is no profit in the lumber nor its manufac- ture: and in the turpentine industry. small trees are tapped which will in. evitably be destroyed by winds and fireS before they can be used for lum Der. Such endless destruction in the coastal regions of Alabama Is leading to the total disappearance of the long leaf pine forests, and the denudation of thousands of acres Of land which should supply timber and turpentine for gen erationa
 Tt Is refreshing fact to know in this connection that such measures are approved by many of the conservative aumbermen of the State The forestry bill contemplates assuring the pros perity of the lumbermen of the State who will be more directly benented finally than any other class, and If is to be hoped that they will unite with us in advocating a measure framed for their beneflt, as well as for the good of the whole people"