South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-24
FOREST SERVICE
INCOME Grows
Material Advance Is Also Re-
corded in Development
Work and Classification.

WASHINGTON National forest
administration last year was char
acterized, according TO Henry ;.
Graves, thief of the forest service,
in his annual report which has just
been published, by an Increase Of
more than $4,000 in receipts,
which totaled over $2,SG0,000, by
rapid progress in land classification,
10y a material advance in develop
ment work, in which road building
is one of the largest factors, and by
relatively small losses from forest
tires
The receipts from timber were
over $1,4O0,OO0, a 20 per cent in
crease, while grazing receipts were
S1,2OO,OOO, and water power rentals
brought in 100000. At present"
says Mr.. Graves, the receipts from
the national forests are approx
mately three fourths OF what it
costs TO protect them and carry on
the current business. In addition
to this cost however, there are eX-
penses which are primarily i'm the
nature of investments" Roads and
other improvements, reforestation
of denuded lands, and classification
and survey work are examples. "All
expenses connected with the nation
al forests, including these invest
ment expenses, as well as the cost
of operation, approximates $5,275,
OOO."
The business on the national
forests, Mr.. Graves states, is on a
thoroughly sound basis. An eff
cient organization has been built up
10 handle the work of protection of
the forests and of developing the
resources. The rapidly increasing
use of the forests points not only
to constantly greater service to the
public, but also TO increased hnan-
cial returns"
Increased Returns i'm Prospect.
. a steady increase in the returns
Z from the national forests is expect
ed by the chief forester. In spite Of
the unstable and unhealthy condi-
ton of the lumber market a steady
and increasing local demand for ma
tional forest timber is created by
the upbuilding OF the country. This
demand will be constantly growing
even though sales for the general
market will nuctuate with the pre-
vailing business conditions. The re-
turns from grazing will increase as
more stock uses the forests, in con-
/ sequence OF range improvement and
the development of new range. it is
stated.
A moderate annual increase for
/ three years in the grazing fee is
| contemplated which, if put into
/ operation, will eventually bring the
/ grazing receipts to more than
/ $4,000, 600 a year, as compared with
approximately $1,2OO,0OO in the fis-
= cal 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 IL
\ years the value of the forage to the
/ stockmen has materially increased
( because of the improved methods OF
\ handling the stock which have been
\ introduced. While some readjust-
ment of grazing charges has taker
] place. Inere mas beeu no BtHeldL al
/ vance in the rates.
Grazing Charges Cheaper.
Instances are quoted which show
| that grazing fees on private or In
/ dian lands adjacent 10 the nationa
| forests are much higher than those
/ charged by the government for ma
tional forest range. In one locality
in Montana, IL is stated. 81 cent:
per head was paid for grazing OF
Indian lands, while a charge of only
Is - cents per head was made OF
nearby national forest lands. In the
same place the rate on cattle wa
So on Indian land, as against 81
cents on the national forest
The present demand for grains
privileges on a majority OF the ma
tional forests" says the report, "fal
| exceeds the carrying capacity, anC
the demand is on the increase
Under these conditions the stock
] men using the national fores
| ranges are enjoying special priv
leges over those who must pay 10
range on = competitive basic Of d.