Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1910-09-01
ASSOCIATIONS AIMS
WORK OF WESTERN FORfSTERl
CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION.
Practices what I! breaches. Docs
Much TO Protect Forests From Fire
and, with Help of People, Prom
Uses TO Do Much More. Objects
Far Reaching.

The five states of Montana. Idaho.
| Washington, Oregon and California
contain half the merchantable timber
| in the United States tOday-a fact
of startling economic significance. 1t
means only that here is an existing
resource of incalculable local and ma
/ tional value, but also that here lies
the great field of production for all
time. The wonderful density and eX-
tent of our western forests are not
accidental, but result because climatic
and other conditions are the most
favorable in the world for forest
growth. In just the degree that they
excel forests elsewhere, it is easier
to make them continue to do so.
The lumber production of these
states increases as other states be
come exhausted. Already it is a fifth
that of the entire country, bringing at
least 1925, 100000 a year, mainly the
wages of labor into circulation among
their population. There is no rea-
son why this tremendous factor in
the prosperity of the country, and of
these five states especially, should not
be made permanent We have only
to profit by the experience of less for
tunate regions, and here. where our
forests are still virgin and vast and
where Nature surpasses herself in
encouraging reproduction, protect
them from fire and cut them so wise
ly that new crop viii be ready when
the old one is gone. And with the
forests we perpetuate the waters and
the industries dependent on both.
The West Forestry and Conserva-
ton Association is a central medium
for facilitating their work, represent
ing and maintained by the several To-
cal conservation and forest protective
organizations of these five states.
It's purpose is to promote forest fire
prevention. conservative forest man.
agment, reforesting of cut-over lands
not more valuable for agriculture, i'm
prOvement in taxation systems, pre-
ServatiOn of stream flow, and all OF
the other things comprehended by the
world conservation.
It's meetings enable representative
of the allied associations and of State
and Government to exchange ideas
and devise ways and means for carry
ing on these movements in harmony
along practical and effective lines. 1t
also affords means of collecting and
distributing trustworthy information.
1t believes in the use of every leg
itimate means of publicity and educa
ton to interest lumbermen, legislators
and public, not only in paving the
way for future advance, but also in
such actual, workable, conservation
measures as can be put into practice
Immediately.
TO this end believing action speaks
louder than words, it practices what
it breaches. While fully recognizing
the great value and necessity OF as
sociations devoted entirely to pro-
paganda, it sees also need OF reduc-
ing theory to a sound business basis.
The forest protective associations
which it represents already spend
over 100000 annually for fire pa
troll. One of the primary objects and
ambitions of the Association is to ex-
tend this effort until all the timber
owners in the five states do their
fair part, paying on the basis OF acre
age owned by each for a highly train
ed and organized service. If the
states themselves lend aid and back
ing this can be made the most effi-
cient fire service in existence, as the
most magnificent body of standing
timber in the world deserves.
The Association also employs a
trained forester to assist its members
who control timber to install and
maintain improved methods of pro-
lection, cutting and reforestation. In
this way it not only helps those who
will to really accomplish the end in
view, out by publishing experience
tables of cost and result can make
the experiments serve as object les |
sons to others.
But although it believes in this
close working relation with those who
control large part Of one of our
greatest resources, because more
than any they are in a position ac-
tually to practice conservation, the
represents the timber In
terests along such lines of distinct
community good only, in harmony
with the Government, the States and
the public conservation organizations.
Nor are it's activities by any means
limited to forestry. 1t welcomes and
tenders assistance in bringing about
wise use of all our natural resOurc-
eS.
The Western Forestry and Conser-
walton Association has no individual
1t hopes for greater
public support of the local associa-
lions it represents, also for the organ
ization and cooperation of many |
more in fields still uncovered. If you |
have only the general interest in the
subject which every good citizen has,
you are urged to join a conservation
association and give it your active
support. If you are timber owner
you should do the same thing, for
aside from moral purposes it is to
your direct interest, and also investi- |
gate the possibilities of cheaper and
more efficient fire protection through /
cooperative forest fire associations. !
In either case your views on the prob
lens before us will be greatly appre-
ciated by the Association. We would
also like your address so as to keep
you in touch with our work from
time to time.
To kindred associations in other
parts of the United States and to |
national associations, the Western
Forestry and Conservation Associa- /