East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-10-03
MAYOR MATLOCK
SEEKS DELEGATE
WILL APPOINT REPRESENTA-
TIVE TO ATTEND CONSER-
WALTON MEET.

Is there a citizen in Pendleton or I
Umatilla county who would like to be
delegate to the fifth National Con- |
servation Congress which will convene |
in Washington. d. c., November IS, |
19 and 20? If so Mayor w. F. Mat. |
lock would like to give him the ap-
pointment
The mayor yesterday received a let |
ter from Thomas r. Shipp, secretary
of the congress, advising him that
Pendleton is entitled to two delegates
and two alternates and asking that he
appoint the same. Expenses would
have to be born by the delegates but
Mayor Matlock thinks there may be
some citizen going east anyway and
who would be glad to attend the con-
gress
The main subjects for consideration
this year will be forestry and water
power but other important phases of
conservation will not be overlooked,
| according to the secretary.
Here are some of the reasons why
the congress puts forestry foremost
at this years meeting.
/ Forest fires continue to destroy lives
by hundreds and tangible assets aver
aging upwards of fifty million dol
lars annually, and do incalculable
damage to soil, water, ana young
growth.
Forest insects destroy enough tim
Der every year to finance the con-
struction program of the navy.
Floods follow forest denudation, and
the disasters of this year can be trac-
ed, in part at least to non-forested
watersheds.
We are using three times as much
timber as grows each year. and worst
! OF all are utilizing only forty to sew
enty per cent of each tree cut down;
while fire destroys the equivalent Of
each years new growth.
The tax laws in most states do not
recognize forests as a crop to be per-
petuated, but act TO destroy the tim.
Der resources for the enrichment OF
the present to the poverty of the fu-
! ture.
The preservative treatment OF tim
Der is a potent factor in conservation
/
makes inferior species available. At
present about 90 per cent OF the cross
ties but less than 1S of I per cent OF
the lumber used, is treated &.
Despite the obvious public need.
there is strong opposition 20 the de-
velopment of a safe national forest
policy.
While the future is not secure, defi-
mite progress has been made in the
following ways:
Forest fires associations among tim
berland owners, by publicity and sys-
tematic organization, are materially
reducing forest fire losses.
The federal government controls,
on the national forests, about one
fifth of the standing timber and by
proper utilization and protection
; makes 1t a present asset and q per-
/ petual resource.
! A majority of the forested states
/ have organizations which are doing
effective work in forest protection an !
education.
Two states PENNSYLVANIA and ouis-
lana have this year enacted forest
| taxation laws based on correct prin.
ciples, and other states are agitating
similar legislation
While Intensive fsrest management
On the European plan, has not been
applied bn private holdings, the lurn-
bermen are slowly realizing that their
business is furthered by co.operat"
with public interests, fereshrv ona
numbering are rececins w,atual recog.
nition' 6hlch will mske for forest
CONSERVATION under the combined stim.
titus Of education and economic devel-
! cpment,
| -nai, Is fairly we'll defined public
inte, est in forest conservation, but
It must be stimulated to the point Of
forcing necessary reforms.