The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-11
NATIONAL FOREST
BUSINESS EXPANDING
Increase Of More Than $4,000 In Re
oeipts Was Reported By Henry S.
Graves, Chief of the For
est Service.

National forest administration last year
was characterized, according TO Henry
S. Graves, chief of the forest service, in
his annual report which has just been
published, by an increase of more than
100000 in receipts, which totalcd over
81, 100000, by rapid progress in land
classification, by a material advance in
development work, in which road build
ing is one of the largest factors, and by
relatively small losses from forest fires.
| The receipts from timber were over
| 81 100000, a 90 per cent increase, while
grazing receipts were 81 200, goo, and wat
cr power rentals brought in 100000,
Eat present" says Mr.. Graves, "the re-
cepts from the national forests are APP
proxmately three -fourths of what II
costs to protect them and carry on the
current business. In addition TO this
cost, however, there are expenses which
are primarily in the nature of invest
lments." Roads and other improvements,
lreforestation of dcnuded lands and
classification and survey work are ex-
amples. "All expenses connected with
the national forests, including these in
vestmeht expenses as well as the cost Of
operation, approximate S5,275000."
The business on the national forests,
Mr.. Graves states, is on a thoroughly
sound basis. IAN efficient organization
has been built up TO handle the work of
protection of the forests and develop
ing the resources. The rapidly inereas-
ing use OF the forests points not only TO
constantly greater service to the public,
but also to increased financial returns"
Increased Returns in Prospect.
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 a steady aud increasing local de-
mand for national forest timber is ere
ated by the upbuilding of the country.
This demand will be constantly growing
even though sales for the general mar
ket will huctuate with the prevailing bus
mess conditions The returns from graz
ing will increase as more stock uses the
forests, in consequence of range improve
ment and the development of new range,
it is stated
A moderate annual increase for
three years in the grazing fee
is contemplated which, ii put into
operation, will eventually bring the graz
ing receipts to more than S2000,000
year, as compared with approximately
81 100000 in the fiscal year 1915. 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 stockmen has materially increased
because of the improved methods Of
handling the stock which have been in
PRODUCED, While 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 Indian lands
adjacent TO the national forests are much
higher than those charged by the govern
ment for national forest range. In one
locality in Montana, it is stated, 81
cents per head was paid for grazing
sheep on Indian lands, while charge
of only 1874 cents per head was made on
nearby national forest lands. In the
same place the rate on cattle was S3
on Indian land, as against "a cents on
the national forest.
"The present demand for grazing priv
leges on a majority of the national for
ests," says the report, far exceeds the
carrying capacity, and the demand is on
the increase. Under these conditions the
stockmen using the national forest
ranges are enjoying special privileges
over those who must pay for range on a
basis or do without. 1t is an
established principle of national forest
that the man who Is ac-
corded the privilege OF exclusive use OF
land or material for a commercial proht
shall pay the public proportion to the
value of what he receives. 1t has been
plain that increase of the benefits de-
rived by stockmen from national forest |
without commensurate |
increase in the charge for the grazing |
privilege has created a situation which |
calls for readjustment. Before final &C
ton is taken an opportunity will be Civ
en- for all parties interested to be heard"