The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-12-12
INCREASED NATION
ALFOREST REVENUES

National forest administration last
year as characterized. according to
Henry S. Graves, chief of the Forest
Service. in his annual report, which
has just been published. by an in
crease of more than $4,000 in re-
ceipts, which totaled over $2,S00, 600;
by rapid progress in land classifca-
ton; by material advance in develop
ment work, in which road building is
one of the largest factors; and by
relatively small losses from forest
fires.
The receipts from timber were over
$,1400,000, a 20 per cent increase;
while grazing receipts were $780,
600, and water power rentals brought
in 100000. "At present" says Mr.,
Graves, "the receipts from the ma
tional forests are approximately
three-fourths of what it costs to pro-
tect them and cary on the current
business. In addition to this cost,
however, there are expenses which
are primarily in the nature of in
vestments." Roads and other i'm
provements, reforestation of denuded
lands, and classification and survey
work are examples. "All expenses
connected with the national forests,
including these investment expenses
as well as the cost of operation, ap-
proximate S5275,000."
The business of the national for
ests, Mr.. Graves states, is on a thor
oh " hos An r1s0
ganization has been built up to han
die the work of protection of the for
ests and of developing the resources. /
The rapidly increasing use of the for
ests points not only to constantly
greater service to the public, but also
to increased financial returns"
A steady increase in the returns
from the national forests is expected
by the chief forester. In spite of the
unstable and unhealthy condition of
the lumber market, steady and in
creasing local demand for national
forest timber is created by the up
building of the country. This demand |
will be constantly growing, even
though sales for the general market
will fiuctuate with the prevailing bus
mess conditions. The returns from
grazing will increase as more stock |
uses the forests, in consequence of !
range improvement and the develop |
ment of new range, it is stated
A moderate annual increase for |
three years in the grazing fee is con-
templated which, if put into opera
tion, will eventually bring the graz |
ing receipts to more than $2,000,000 |
year, as compared with approxi- |
mately $1,200,000 in the fiscal year
1916. 1t is pointed out that when
regulation of grazing on the forests
began a low scale of charges was
adopted During the last ten years
the value of the forage to the stock |
men has materially increased because
of the improved methods of handling
the stock which have been introduced. /
While some readjustment of grazing
charges has taken place, there has
been no general advance in the rates. |
Instances are quoted which show
that grazing fees on private or In
dian lands adjacent to the national
forests are much higher than those
charged by the Government for ma /
tional forest range. In one locality |
in Montana, it is stated, 81 cents per |
head was paid for grazing sheep on
Indian lands, while a charge of only
131s cents per head YVES made on
nearby national forest lands. In the
same place the rate on cattle was SO
on Indian land, as against 81 cents
on the national forest.
"The present demand for grazing |
privileges on majority of the ma
tional forest" says the report, ''far
exceeds the carrying capacity, and
the demand is on the increase. I'm
der these conditions the stockmen
using the national forest ranges are
enjoying special privileges over those |
who must pay for range on a COM !
petitive basis or do without 1t is an
established principle of national for
est administration that the man who
is accorded the privilege of exclusive
use of land or material for CONNER
cial profit shall pay the public in pro-
portion to the value of what he re-
ceives. It has become plain that in
crease of the benefits derived by
stockmen from national forest admin
istration without a commensurate in
crease in the charge for the grazing
privilege has created a situation
which calls for readjustment. Before
final action is taken an opportunity
will be given for all parties interested