The Washington times., 1915-12-05
in1berLdnd, ,Denuded,
GiDen Back to Public
Private Ownership Fails to Justify Itself in CONNER
cial Results and Brings Industry to Unhealthy
Condton-Good Start Made in Reclamation
By JUDsoN c. wELLryER.

their lands funtll the timber could be
harvested probably. That was MADE
Impossible by the necessity Of paying
oiyidends, interest on bonds, taxes. and
management charges. Conservation OF
the timber resources, in such cIrcum-
blances' was worse than impossible
the whole arrangement was calculated
to compel the sacrifice OF the timber.
regardless of the future or OF the pub
lie concern for u.
The history OF the Eastern forest
forest that surrounded the Great axes.
shows what will happen in such condI-
tions. In Michigan and Wisconsin the
original pine standings we're cut over
of trying to care for the lands and ginne
them a chance to grow new stands.
The cut-over lands we're looked upon
as worthless barrens; and indeed, wivn-
out proper care and attention, they
were just that.
Give Up Barren Tracts.
What private ownership could be ex-
pected to pay taxes on such areas and
to bear the expense OF scientific care.
forestry methods, and fire protection.
for half a century in order that at the
end of such a period the land might
be cut over again? Certainly. Ameri-
can foresight has not yet seen so far
ahead in the processes OF business.
30 these pine barrens of the lake
States, unable to pay taxes, gradually
were permitted to revert to the States
for non-payment. These have become
the basis on which the States have been
establishing state forest reserves Mich
igan and Wisconsin have made very
important progress In state forest
work. New York has about 10000
acres in its state forests; Pennsylvania
has about 100000 acres. These are al
most without exception non-agricultu-
raj lands; that is, lands that would
poses even II completely cleared. Under
State control, there Is no worry about
tax burdens, or paying dtVtdendei tbe
State can wait for time 70 produce
new crop OF trees, and can even afford
to encourage nature.
States Make a Start.
Half a score of States have already
made substantial starts toward recov-
ering and reclaiming their timber areas
In all sections the tendency Is toward
State control. 1t Is stated that unless
conditions III the lumber industry change
very soon-and there is no indication
that they will-immensely greater areas
OF cut-over timber lands will inevitably
revert to State ownership, in default OF
taxes, all over the South Southwest,
West and Northwest The states Will
have to take them: ii becomes mere
Iy a question whether they will apply
the right methods of care, so that new
forests may replace those destroyed
The awak ening interest in the sub
jes jLstifes expectation that this
will be the case.
Along with this tendency to bring
the ree-growing lands to State own
crship gees the move for establish
ment of Federal forest reserves, I'm
der the Appalachian Forest Reserve
law passed a few years ago, the Gov
ernment has bought over 1,5Oo,OO9
acres in the Appalachian States, and
what is regarded as more important.
il has bought at as reasonable prices
as could have been secured by private
enterprise. The average paid has
been a trif.c over So per acre.
Program to Go Forward.
The commission in charge of these
forests has still about S1.0Oe,0Oc of
the appropriation to its credit, and
has asked that IL be given authority,
after this is used, to draw still fur
ther ON the public treasury for car
rying on it's work. There is now no
doubt OF the success OF both the State
and the Federal policies of creating
public forests and caring for them at
public expense. The beginning is
substantial and the program will be
carried along on a rapidly expand :
ing scale, as the cut-over lands In in =
creasing areas are cast back upon the
States.