The copper era and Morenci leader., 1913-11-28
GRAVES ADVOCATES FEDERAL CONTROL
 OF FORESTS
United States Forester Made Vigor- oGs Speech Befcfe Conservation Congress at Washington Last
 Week.

Washington, Nov. 19.-Henry S. Graves, U. s. Forester, spoke before
 the National Conservation Congress in session today, dwelling particular ly on the present policies of the government in respect to the activi- ties of the forest service. Referring to the attitude of the present admins tration, as to the so-called states rights policy, which has advocated state instead of federal control of forests, MT. 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 fol- lows:
 "The nation has an important stake in forestry. Here as in all other countries, the real development of forestry began when the government took up it's practice Even today some persons would leave the forests en- tirely to private owners. others in- sist that the public phases of forest ry are altogether a 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 activi- ties. Yet unrestricted private eX- ploitation of forests is impossible if we are to continue to have the for ests that the nation needs.
 National responsibility in forestry is perfectly clearcut. There need be no confusion 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 state or federal agencies, or both. The national work will be the backbone of American forestry, not trenching on or interfering with state work or individual efforts, but serving as 8 guarantee that national needs which individual states cannot meet will be provided for on a nation al scale.
 Underlying the forestry problem are two fundamental considerations which should be emphasized and reit- erated until thoroughly driven home. One is the public character of fores- try. Both in the matter of a con- tinued supply of forest products and in that of the conservation of water resources the public welfare is at stake. Secondly, stability of policy and permanence of ownership are eS- sential to any successful attack on this great conservation problem.
 q am frequently asked as I travel about the country whether l am going to make important changes in forest- ry policy. I was asked that very often in 1910, when I first took office. am asked it often this year. My answer s-that what we are seeking is not changes but the development of a permanent public enterprise with consistent and stable policies. The national 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 admins tration is not to overturn, but to take every possible step to increase eff ciency of the organization, to adjust and to advance as fast as possible the purposes for which the national forests were established. Secretary Houston recently said to me:
 6 Establish permanent boundaries. Classify your lands; segregate the , agricultural land and fix right limits for what is needed as protective and productive forests. Develop perman- i ent policies based on full recognition l of lasting public interests, and set tied forestry practice fitted to the in- dividual needs of each forest and To- cality. Study efficiency; make any