The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1913-11-25
FEDERAL CONTROL OF FORESTS
Z. s. Forester Graves Advocates Con.
troll Of Forests by Government

Graves, U. s. forester, spoke before
the National Conservation Congress
in session today, dwelling particularly
on the present policies Of the govern
ment in respect to the activities of the
| forest service. Referring to the atti-
tude of the present administration, as
| to the so-called states rights policy,
which has advocated state instead OF
federal control of forests, Mr.. Graves
says there is no thought OF any
change in the established system of
federal ownership and control.
The forester spoke in part as fol-
| lows:
1.-THE nation has an important stake
in forestry. Here as in all other
countries the real development in
forestry began when the government
took up it's practice. Even today sore
persons would leave the forests en-
tirely to private owners, others insist
that the public 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 conservation or opposed to
restricting private activities. Yet I'M
| restricted private exploitation of for
ests is impossible II we are to con-
tinue to have the forests that the ma
ton needs.
National responsibility in forestry
is perfectly clear-cut There need be
no confession with an 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
,4o@ folo ct ho%1 TE<,
national work will always be the back
bone of American forestry, not trench
ing on or interfering with state work
or individual efforts 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 considerations
which should be emphasized and re-
iterated until thoroughly driven
home. One is the public character of
forestry. Both in the matter of con-
tinued supply of forest products in
that of the conservation of water re-
sources the public welfare is at stake.
Secondly, stability of policy and per-
manence of ownership are essential to
any successful attack on this great
conservation problem.
81 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. l am
asked it often this year. My answer
is that what we are seeking is not
changes but the development of a
permanent public enterprise with con-
sistent and stable policies. The ma
tional forests were set aside in the
recognition that the bulk Of these
lands should be handled permanently
under public protection and control
"The aim of the present administra-
ton is not to overturn, but to take
every possible step to increase efft-
cheney of the organization, to adjust
difficulties, and to advance as fast
as possible the purposes for which the
national forests were established. Sec
rotary Houston recently said to me:
Establish permanent boundaries
Classify your lands; segregate the ag-
ricultural land and fix right limits fol
what is needed as protective and pro-
ductive forests. Develop permanent
policies based on full recognition Of
lasting public interests, and settled
forestry practice fitted to the indiv'
!. idual needs of each forest and local
ity. Study efficiency; make any
changes necessary for this purpose
but make no changes that are mo-
clearly called for in the public inter
est. Carry out your plans for the de-
! velopment and increasing use of the
forests: but. above all, make each for
est work for community upbuildinf
and local as well rs general welfare
We must always have In mind the mer
and women who are building up &
new country and laying the founda'
lions for prosperous, thriving com
monwealths. We must try to study
their needs and see where and how the
forests can help them. But we mus
not cease to guard effectively against
the evils of private privilege and
monopolistic control Of resources nov
the property Of the public"