The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-16

repairs and the preservation of rea-
sonably smooth surface, considering
the type of road, but are not obli-
gated to make extraordinary repairs
or undertake reconstruction. If after
due notice, State fails TO maintain
Federally aided road properly, the
secretary is required to refuse further
aid until the road has been properly
repaired at State expense.
100000 for Roads and Trails In
the National Forests.
The sum of 10000, 900 lis made avail
able in yearly appropriations Of ST.
900, 600 for the cooperative construc-
ton and maintenance of roads and
trails within or partly within the
national forests by the United States.
States, Territories, or counties in
which the forests lie. Expenditures
for this purpose are not to exceed
ten per cent Of the value Of the tim
Der and forage resources available
for income upon the national forests
where the roads or trails are con-
structed. Beginning with the next
fiscal year after an agreement is made
between the Secretary OF Agriculture
and State, Territory. or county for
the cooperative construction of such
roads, ten per cent OF all revenues
from such forest are TO be applied
toward reimbursing the United States
government for funds expended in
road work until the whole amount
advanced shall have been returned.
Purpose of Road Building In the
Forests.
The objects sought through Fed
eral aid to roads in the national for
ests are thus explained by the Sec
rotary OF Agriculture in his annual
report for 1918. in which he recon-
mends such legislation as we'll as Fed
eral aid to rural post roads;
The real agricultural problem
within and near the forests is to make
possible the successful occupancy and
development of the lands that already
have been opened to entry or actual
ly patented, The mere private own
ership of land does not insure sue
cessful use OF IT. In Oregon and
Washington alone there are about g.
000. 900 acres of logged off land. much
of 1t agricultural in character. now
lying idle. In this connection specu-
lative holding of the land for higher
prices plays a large part. Another
cause Is the lack of transportation
facilities. A settler may clear land
and raise crops upon 1t. but he is
helpless II he can not market them.
Ihere are great areas or fertile land
unused today on this account. In
many sections near the national for
ests pioneer conditions still exist
The population is small and the task
of road building Is beyond the means
OF the residents. There Is little or
no demand for timber and the re-
ceipts from the forests which 20 to
the community are small. The fact
that the public property is not sub
ject to taxation makes such commu-
mites feel, and very justly, that the
forests are not contributing enough
to local development
This situation should be changed.
Assistance should be given in the
building Of roads to bring into pro-
ductive use the resources of such re-
gions. Therefore the suggestion con-
tanned in the last annual report is
repeated that upon a showing of
public necessity appropriations be
made for specific roads and similar
improvements, to be charged against
the States future share of receipts
from the forests. Such action would
promote the local development of ag-
riculture and other resources
ITO secure the maximum use OF
the lands still remaining in Federal
ownership further legislation is need
ed. There must be a constructive
program which will promote devel-
opment and safeguard public inter-
ests. The aim should be to make
these properties more useful avail
able to greater numbers. and effective
ly instrumental in building up indus
tries"