The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-11-20
FEDERAL CONTROL OF FORESTS
Favored by United Forester Henry 5.
Graves.


Graves.
Washington, d. G., Nov. 20.-Henry ).
Graves, L. S. forester, spoke before the
national conservation congress in session
yesterday, dwelling particularly on the
present policies of the government in
respect to the activities of the forest
service. Referring to the attitude OF
the present administration, as to the
so-called states rights policy, which has
advocated state instead OF federal con-
troll of forests, Mr.. Graves says there Is
no thought of any change in the estab-
lished system of federal ownership and
control.
The forester spoke in part as follows:
"The nation has an important stake
in forestry. Here, as in all other coun-
tries, the real development OF forestry
began when the government took up
its practice. Even to-day some persons
would leave the forests entirely to pri-
vate owners. Others insist that the pub
lie phases of forestry are altogether
state function and federal activities in
this field uncalled for. Those who hold
this view are usually either lukewarm
concerning the need for forest conserya-
ton or opposed to restricting private &C
tivities. Yet unrestricted private ex-
ploitation of forests is impossible II we
are to continue to nave the forests that
the nation needs.
National responsibility in forestry is
perfectly clear-cut. There need be no
confusion with an equally clear-cut re-
sponsibility of the states. And as to
private forestry little of value has SO
far been done that has not been an out
come of public action through state or
federal agencies, or both. The national
work will always be the backbone OF
American forestry not trenehing on or
interfering with state work or indivld-
ual efforts but serving as guarantee
that national needs which individual
states can not meet win be provided for
on national scale.
Underlying the forestry problem are
two fundamental considerations which
should be emphasized and reiterated I'M
til thoroughly driven home. One is the
public character of forestry. Both in
the matter of continued supply OF for
est products and in that of the con-
seryation of water resources, the pub
lie welfare is at stake. Secondly sta
bility of policy and permauence of own
ership are essential TO any successful at
tack on this great conservation prob
lem.
Il am frequently asked as / travel
about the country whether | am going
to make important changes in forestry
policy. | was asked that very often in
1910, when | first took office. | am
asked it often this year. My answer
is that what we are seeking is not
changes but The development of per-
manent public enterprise with consistent
and stable policies. The national for
ests were set aside in the recognition
that the bulk of these lands should be
handled permanently under public pro-
lection and control
"The aim OF the present administra-
ton is not to overturn, but to take
every possible step TO increase efficiency
of the organzat ton, to adjust difficulties,
and to advance as fast as possible the
purposes for which the national forests
were established. Secretary Houston
recently said to me:
Establish permanent boundaries.
Classify your lands; segTegate the agri-
cultural land and fix right limits for
what is needed as protective and produc-
tive forests. Develop permanent policies
based ON full recognition of lasting pub
lie interests, and settled forestry prae-
tice fitted to the individual needs of
each forest and locality. Study efficien
cy; make any changes necessary for this
purpose. but make no changes that are
not clearly called for in the public in
terest Carry out your plans for the
development and increasing use of the
forests; but, above all, make each forest
work for community upbuilding and To-
cal as we'll as general welfare. We must
always have in mind the men and wom-
en- who are building up a new country
and laying the foundations for pros
porous, thriving commonwealth. We
must try to study their needs and see
where and how the forests can help
them. But we must not cease to guard
effectively against the evils Of private
privilege and monopolistie control of re-
sources now the property of the pub
lie