The Washington herald., 1909-11-21
FOREST CAUSE GAINS
Even Congress Is Awaken
ing to It's Importance.
BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED
Interest Increases in Work of Ma
tiOnRI Bureau, Which Has shown
Practical object Lesson OF What
Should BE Further Attempted by
the National Government.

In spite Of the prevailing Congress
sionsl indifference toward forestry legis-
lation. as shown by its attitude toward
the National Forest Service and its poll
cies. and as exempIifed by its nonaction
on the Appalachian-Whit Mountain pro-
ject throughout the many sessions that
this measure has been actively before
Congress. the forest cause is daily gain
ing ground in the minds and consciences
of the nations lawmakers.
Slowly, but surely. progress toward ma
tional sanity is being made. as the splen-
did work of the Forest Service is being
more widely known and appreciated.
Starting a few years ago with an in
significant area under its control. with
difficult policies OF administration, care
and handling to outline and enforce. the
Forest Service now has under its control
domain Of over 100000 acres, and
has so wisely handled it that it repre-
sents probably the most useful construc-
tive work being done by the government
to-day.
Affords an object Lesson.
what should be further done in forest
conservation by the government, for not
only is the sanity proved. but the profit
ableness Of tree growing and forest per
petuation demonstrated.
These conditions are noted as facts that
bear significantly on the Appalachian
project and its chances for legislation al
this session OF Congress
The getting through OF any Legislation
I'm Congress is frequently a difficult mat
| ter-there are many obstacles that ever
vital measures encounter IN so large
body made up OF so many men and di-
verse interests. There are many point,
Of view on any public question: there
are many pigeon holes and Congressional
graves for legislation not wanted by th'
leaders"
Let MS follow the course 10 he pursued
by a measure designed TO establish the
Appalachian Forest. Upon It's introduc-
ton IL will be referred 10 the appropriate
committee-in this case the Committee on
Agriculture-there it will receive. at som,
time during the session. the consideration
of the committee. 81. and when. the com
mittee so desires. The committee consists
of eighteen men. headed by Representa-
tive Scott. OF Kansas. as chairman-and
whether the bill is reported out Of tn,
committee or not, rests with these eigh-
teen men.
May Grant "A Hearing.
They may grant a public hearing or
the bill-for that seems the usual plar
Ghree hearings have already been had 81
past years. this hearing may result In q
/ favorable committee report. which would
/ serve 10 place the bill on the House cal
| endar When so placed. the bin viii com,
/ UP for Il vote by the House. when On,
! Speaker permits it, Thus II VIII be seer
| that this legislation must first receiv,
the favorable report Of the Agriculture
! Committee, md must then receive IN,
| permission OF the Speaker before n vot,
on II can be had.
When before the House for "a vote. Il
must take the same chances for enact
ment into law as any other public meas
ure. but II Is felt that WREN the measur,
/ reaches that point in its legislative cours,
! It's prospects are excellent. That the body
which last year passed the Weeks bill
can pass a new Weeks or similar bin "a
| this session is clearly possible.
4 Upon passage by the House the bill
/ goes TO the Senate; is there referred G,
the appropriate committee-must Their,
receive the approval OF the committee
must be voted upon by the Senate.
! A favorable vote in both Houses would
mean its enactment into law when Exec
utive approval IS given. In case OF dlsa
/ greement, t. must go TO conference. anJ
/ its fate then becomes problematcal.
/ A compromise measure may be the re
sult-Or nothing may be done as has beer
/ the case in the past.
JOHN A. FINNEY.
/ Secretary \. y. Il. A.