The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-09
MISREPRESENTATION
Former Vice President Joins
National Movement.
LUMBERMEN ARE SCORED
Draws on ROund-the-wOrId Trip OH
servntions for Object Lessons go
Successful One-POInts Ont Wanton
Destruction to Our Forests.

Former Vice President Fairbanks, who
returned a short time ago from trip
around the world, wants TO give to his
native State OF Indiana the benefit of
some of his observations. ard has started
movement for the conservation of tim
Der In Indiana and for the reforestation
/ Of the waste places OF the State. A
preliminary meeting OF those interested
4n the plan has already been held at the
suggestion of Mr.. Fairbanks, and at sub
sequent meetings a permanent organiza-
ton will be effected.
In an interview a few days ago Mr..
Fairbanks said he decided. prior 10 his
retirement from the public service. to
attempt 10 do something toward putting
forestry in Indiana upon a more ad-
yanced basH. The Importance of the
subject, he says. was further impressed
upon him while on his recent journey. In
Korea and In China he saw striking IL
lustration Of the waste and ruin which
result from the ignorant destruction of
the forests, and from neglect to restore
and perpetuate them upon areas which
are not well adapted TO growing anything
else of use or value" In Japan and m
Germany Mr. Fairbanks saw a different
state of affairs. eXsmplifying the wealth
that may be derived from an enlightened
policy of reforestation and conservation.
On Indiana Situation.
OF the situation in Indiana. Mr.. Fair
banks said:
Il have seen many places In Indiana.
as well as in many parts OF the United
States where great damage will result
10 the future unless an enlightened sys-
tenn of forestry Is employed. We owe il
to ourselves, and particularly to those
who shall come after US. 20 do our share
TO preserve all Of the valuable resources
of the State We owe It 10 the State
itself to make good the waste places and
preserve her natural wealth, subject to
our reasonable needs. for future genera
tons. The Chinese policy takes little or
no thought of tomorrow, while the Ger
man policy and the policies of other
equally enlightened countries keep to-
morrow in constant mind.
There are many ways in which we
can serve our State and the future. but
we can do it in no way as effecually as
by growing trees in many places which
are little adapted 10 other uses. II Is
possible 10 plant millions of trees IN the
ninety-two counties of Indiana. which
will add millions of dollars annually 10
its wealth. and. in the meantime, in
crease its beauty and the comfort Of the
people.
We have not yet begun 10 feel. as
fully as we soon shall. the loss of our
forests or 20 realize what the profigate
destruction of our wealth Of timber VIII
signify in the future; but we must
awaken 10 the fact that the time is COM
ing-and speedily-when the loss viii be
emphasized. The time is ripe to take
action. so that We may. in a measure.
repair the waste that has taken place,
and by systematic education and effort
guard against much reckless abuse of the
forests which remain"
Southern Comment.
Commenting upon this movement of
the former Vice President. the Southern
takes issue with the declara-
ton that there IS now much reckless
abuse OF the forests" by the lumber in
terests. and asks that the conservationist
and the lumber interests get together FOR
work TO the interests Of both.
Mr.. Fairbanks. the Lumberman de-
clares, is in position in this undertaking
TO render his state the greatest service
he has ever done for It. There is prac-
teal forestry back Of his idea Germany
has shown the world what can be done
and many of the hillsides of China show
the result that follows were the timber
is neglected.
This country, with its taxation laws, is
not prepared for the practice Of forestry, |
but such State organizations as tsat pro-
posed by Mr. UFairbanks will work the
change needed in the laws. AS the peo-
pie appreciate the Importance of the for |
estry problems they will remove these |
that stood in its way.
Lumbermen Not Guilty.
AS the forestry problem is studied the
methods Of the lumbermen will be better |
understood and there will be less attacks
upon them, less use of such words as
were said by Mr. Fairbanks himself. such |
time-worn phrases as the ''profigate de- |
struction Of our wealth" Every speech |
for forestry carries such expressions. and
these may be needed to arouse the people |
The lumberman does not waste his ori- |
vate property any more than the needs |
Of his business under present conditions |
require. As the lumberman and the |
forestry advocates come closer together, |
the lumberman will be better understood, |
and personal profit viii come to every /
timber land owner by the formation of |
such working organizations as that pro- |
posed by the ex-senator from Indiana. /
1t will work to the benefit OF the lum- |
bermen OF this generation as we'll as it |
will add to the wealth. the beauty of /
the country, and the comfort Of the /
people"