Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-01
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT ISsD0ING

northwestern United States, Siberia and
Brazil. Two years ago the British Co
lumbia government called Overton w.
Price. former associate forester Of the
United States, to the position of consult
ing forester to assist in developing pol
icy for the conservation Of the timber re-
sources.
. The forests of British Columbia pay
more to the province in proportion to ex-
penses, perhaps, than the government
IN the world. The revenues last year
were approximately 100000 for sale Of
timber and the expenditures were only
$5OOOOO, the forces employed numbering
between 800 and 400 men. The whole
budget for the province is only about
$lO.OOO.OOO or S12,OOO.OOO, so it may be
seen that timber pays for a large part of
the governments expenses and helps to
keep taxes down to the minimum. Will
liam r. Ross, who is minister Of the de-
partment Of lands, which corresponds
with the Interior Department of this
country, Is exceedingly pleased with the
work of the British Columbia forest
branch. which is a bureau corresponding
with the United States forest service.
British Columbia is one OF the countries
which has not allowed its. forest resources
to pass into private hands for exploita-
ton. Possibly fine-tenths of the natural
resources of British Columbia are owned
method of promoting the use of timber
is to allow the stalking of square mile
Of forest which is leased at $40 a year
as long as timber Is uncut. When cutting
begins the lessee in the past has paid 80
cents per thousand feet cut as a royalty.
The government of British Columbia is
just about to start a new profit-sharing
basis of payments which will provide
more money for the provincial govern
ment and at the same time make the
lumber industry more stable. Up to
the present time the lumber operators
in the province have been uncertain about
the future advances in the royalty price
of timber, and because of this fact the
industry has not progressed as fast as
would have been the case with an abso-
lutely sure basis of calculation.
! Minister Of Lands Ross has arrived at
a policy which is based on fair play both
to the government and to the lumber
operator. and provides for gradual in
creases in the amount of royalty. to be
readjusted at the end of siX-year periods
and also to be regulated by the market
price of timber. The royalties will be
regulated so as to provide a fair return
to capital and at the same time to give
the government of the province a large
share in the increased increment. The
forests of the province now provide AN
income of $3,0OO.OOO. and this is expected
to be increased gradually to about S6,OOO.-
600 by 1924 and ultimately to $10,000.00O.
The proht-Sllarlng policy, which has
been worked out by Minister William Il.
Ross. and which viii be practiced in
handling the timber of the province under
the administration of Chief Forester Mac
MILAN. will perhaps be extended to the
management of other national resources
Of British Columbia If the same rate of
returns can be gained. this province may
develop government revenue system for
which it will be absolutely unnecessary
TO raise taxes from the people because
of the rich returns received as royalty
from use of the forests, waterpowers and
mines.
British Columbia has two distinct types
of forests. The coast forest is much like
that of the Pacific northwest in this
country and is composed mostly of red
fir. hemlock and cedar with very heavy
stands of timber running from 10000 to
100000 feet per acre. The inland forests
are composed mostly of yellow pine, run
ming from 6.O0O to 1000 feet per acre.
The lumber operators of the province
are looking ahead to a greatly increased
business during the years following the
opening of the Panama canal. The canal
will bring much new timber trade to the
Pacific coast and it is expected that the
numbering will be greatly stimulated all
over the northwest. including Oregon,
Washington and British Columbia. 1t is
not expected to make much change in the
timber business of Alaska because of the
law which prohibits the expectation of
timber from this territory.