The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-11-25
FEDERAL CONTROL
Of THE FORESTS
Advocated BY Henry S. Graves,
United States Forester, at
National Conservation Con-
greSS.
spo,.l to The >e.. .aa observer

tNDHE%- The Ncws Ant observer
Washington, Nov. 22.-Heny s
Graves, L. :. Forester. spoke b.for.
the National Conservation Congress
IN session here on Wednesday. dwell
ing particularly on the present poll
cles OF the government iii respect ID
the activities OF the forest ser,ic.
Referring to the attitude of he pres
en-, Administration as TO the so-Called
States rights policy. which has adva-
Gated States instead of Federal con
troll of forests. Mr.. Graves saws there
is no thought Of any change in the
established system Of federal owner
ship and control.
The Forester spoke. in part as fol-
lows:
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 today some per
sons would leave the forests entirely
to private owners, others insist that
the public phases Of forestry are al
together a state function and Federal
activities in this field unCalled for.
Those who hold this view are usually
either concerning the need
for forest conservation or opposed TO
AooNA < ul-
restricted private exploitation Of for
ests is impossible IL We are TO con-
tinue to have the forests that the ma
ton needs.
National responsibility in forest
ry is perfectly Clear-Cut. There need
be no confusion with IN equally clear
cut responsibility of the States. And
/. as to private forestry little OF value
has so far been done that has not
been an outcome OF public action
/: through State or Federal agencies.
or both. The National work will al
ways be the backbone Of American
forestry, not trenching on or interfer-
ing with State work or individual eff
forts, but serving as a guarantee that
national needs which individual
States can not meet will be provided
for on a national scale.
Underlying the forestry problem
are two fundamental consideration
which shoul be emphasized and re-
" iterated of forestry. Both in the mat
{ ter Of a continual supply of forest
products and in that of the Conserva-
ton Of water resources the public
welfare is at stake. Secondly, bill
ity of policy and p~ermanence Of own
ership are essential to any successful
y attack on this great conservation
problem.
y II am frequently asked as ! trave
st about the country. whether | am goinA
Il to make important changes in forestrl
policy. l was asked that very often IL
1910. when l first took Office. | an
% asked it often this year. My answe
;, is what we are seeking is not change
- but the development Of a permanen
public enterprise with consistent an'
stable policies. The National forest
8 forests were set aside in the recogni
ton that the bulk Of these land
rs should be handled permanently undo
public protection and control.
The aim Of the present administra
ton is not to Overturn, but to TAX
every possible step to increase eff
re cheney of the organization. to adjus
n difficulties, and to advance as fast a
st possible the purpose for which tn
Of national forests were established
L Secretary Houston r%ecently said I
he me:
ID Estahlis permanent ~bOundarIe.
lp Classify your lands: segregate the az
OF ricultural and fix right limits 70
~ what is needed as protective and pro
IN ductive forests. Develop permaner
er policies based on full recognition Z
I'd lasting public interests, ard settle
IN forestry practice fitted to the indivic
at ual needs Of each forest and ~localit.
Study efficiency. make any change
necessary for this rpo but mah
no changes that are not clearly calie
for in the public interest Garry o.
sc YOUR plans for the development an
increasing use of the forests. bu
ks above all. make each forest work f
o. community upbuildiIg and local I
in we'll as general welfare. We must a
re WAYS have in mind the men and W.
men who are building up a ne" coui
ay try and laying the foundations e
prosperous, thriving coT~lTnon"ealt
We must try to study their needs ar
If see where and nor" the forests ca
i'd help them. But We must not cease
Tor guard effectively against the evils
tie private privilege and ~monopolist
his control If resources OK the prop"
he " Of the pubic.