The farmer and mechanic., 1912-02-27
PRESERVE OUR FORESTS.

hold in Raleigh this week proven ~
uncualifed success. Raleigh was
clad 70 give the delegates warm wei
ocna the widespread interest mani
r.e+ed nv the attendance from nearly
all narts showing the growth the
rpoyement is making and the hold II
is taking on the business interests OK
the State In the meeting the lumper-
ing. furniture manufacturing, farming
and other industries were we'll repre-
sented. and the delegates took gen
nine and intelligent interest in all dis
cussions. With a we'll known lumber
man as president and a forester as
secretary of the organization some
definite conservation policy should De-
come an accomplished fact In the
State.
The Forestry Association was form
ed with the object Of ascertaining the
needs Of the people along the lines OF
forest preservation and OF working
cut remedial measures, and 1t was to
90 into these matters that the con-
yention was held in Raleigh this
week. The discussions in the meetings
brought out specifically what these
needs are, the protection Of the for
ests from forest fires still holding the
first place. The need OF the State
along this line has been known, but
never has it been shown more clear
ly that there is need for early and
definite constructive action.
The association, however, did not
stop at the mere discussion, for be-
sides the usual good resolutions
plans were made for important and
far-reaching work A Legislative COM
mittee was appointed to draft a For
estry BILL suited to the pressing needs
Of the State, and to present 1t for the
action of the Legislature. with the en-
dorsement of the North Carolina For
estry Association. This is calculated to
have q far-reaching effect and In the
wisdom of the committee to draw
bill that will meet the needs Of the
State lies it's chance to be made a law.
One Of the principal obstacles to the
passage of forestry laws previously has
that their constituents were not de-
manding such legislation, in fact, that
they might not be willing to endorse
it. especially if not suited to their 10
ca!ity. The North Carolina Forestry
! Association, therefore, in addition to
its own endorsement Of the measure
it will propose, though it has IN it
presentatives Of all interests which
would be affected by such law,
+! should seek to have support given to
the bill by meetings in various coun-
ties, and by the petitions of people
present It effectively to the General
! Asse emily.
And the association proposes to dc
this very thing, for in order to pre-
pare the way and to arouse q popular
demand for such legislation a publicity
campaign has been planned by the
association. Every member of the as
sociation has been made a commit.
tee of one to write articles concerning
forest fires which occur in his local.
drawing the attention of the public t.
the damage done and to the proposed
remedies. This keeping OF the question
of the need of forest protection con
tinually before the public, il is held
Will lay the basis for popular de
mand which can be presented Wit
force to the General Assembly.
The necessity for adequate conser
NaGOn Of the forests Of North Caro-
INA grows more apparent each year
and the people Of the State should co
operate with the association in it
work. The continued depletion Of tn
forests of the State is matter fo
alarm, as they bear a close reIatio
TO great needs of the people. Th
prospects, the members Of the assC
cation hold, look brighter now tha
ever before for the adoption Of som
dennlte forest policy for the State an