The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-10-31

of Conservation Of the Natural
Resources Of the Nation
is to Meet Soon.


The Fifth National Conservation
Congress to be held in Washington,
D. c., November rs, 10 and 20, is to
be devoted largely to forest conser-
vation, because OF the national i'm
portance OF the subject in its many
phases. Public interest Is involved,
because upon the proper solution of
the various problems depends the
cost OF OF the wood without which
our civilization would decline; the
pefpetuation of the timber supply;
the Development OF hydro-electric
power; the utilization OF non-agri-
cultural lands; the availability of
water for irrigation; the preserva-
ton Of forest areas for health and
recreation, and many other develop
ments essential alike to every citi-
zen from the lumberman to the man
who owns neither tree nor foor
of land.
Here are some OF the reasons why
tina congress puts forestry foremost
at this years meeting.
Forest fires continue to destroy
lives by hundreds and tangible assets
averaging upwards OF fifty million
dollars annually. and do incalcula-
BILE damage to soil, water and young
growth.
Forest insects destroy enough
timber every year to finance the CON
struction program of the navy.
I Floods follow forest denudation.
and the disaster OF this year can be
traced in part. at least, to MONITOR
egted watersheds.
II W. arn Votues fhraa 4fS,ane = -, u,
timber as grows each year, and
worst OF all are utilizing only forty
tn seventy per cent of each tree cut
down; while fire destroys the equiv
4 alent OF each years growth.
The tax laws in most states do no.
recognize forests as crop to be per-
lpetuated, but act 10 destroy the tim
Der resources for the enrichment or
the present to the poverty OF the flu
lture.
The preservatiye treatment OF tim
Der is potent factor in conserva-
ton. since II reduces the consumo-
tion and makes inferior species avail
able. At present about twenty per
cent OF the cross ties, but less than
one-third OF one per cent OF the
i lumber used, is treated.
Despite the obvious public need
there is strong opposition to the de-
lrelopment OF safe national forest
! policy.
While the future is not secure,
definite progress has been made in
the following ways:
Forest fire associations among
timberland owners, by publicity and
systematic organization, are ma
terially reducing forest fire losses.
federal government controls,
on the national Forests, about one
[ fifth of the standing timber, and b.
proper utilization and protection.
makes 1t a present asset and per-
petual resource.
A majority OF the forested states.
have organizations which are doing
effective work in forest protection
and education.
Two states, Pennsylvania and
Louisiana, have this. year enacted
'orest taxation laws based on correct
principles, and other states are agi-
tat'ng similar legislation.
While intensive forest manage
ment, on the European plan, has not
been applied on private holdings
the lumbermen are slowly realizing
that their business is furthered by
cooperation with public interests.
Forestry and numbering are receiy-
ing mutual recognition, which will
make for forest conservation under
the combined stinj Illus OF education
and economic development.
There is family we'll defined public
intertst in forest conservation. but it
must be stimulated to the point Of
forcing necessary reforms.
The National Conservation Con-
gress seeks. through education and
investigation. to establish sound
forest policy, both in the broad ma
tional aspects and in essential de-
ails, and to support and strengthen
the progressive forest work now be-
ng done. The forestry committee,
through its subcommittee and al
hllation with the American Forestry
Association, has unequaled FACILITIES
for effective investigation, and wide
II DuhlcIty and education