Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-16
NATIONAL FOREST
BUSINESS EXPANDING
SAYS WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, Dec. Irrational For
est administration last year was char
acterized, according to Henry >.
Graves, Chief of the Forest Service. in
his annual report which has just been
published, by an increase of more than
s34O, 600 in receipts. which totaled over
81. 500, 900, 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, 400, 900, a 20 per cent. increase, while
grazing receipts were $1,000 900. and
water power rentals brought in 100000.
AT present" says Mr.. Graves. 1.-The
receipts from the national Forests are
approximately three-fourths of what 1t
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
investments" Roads and other i'm
provements, reforestation Of denuded
lands, and classification and survey
work are examples. "All expenses con-
nected with the National Forests, in
Guiding these investment expenses as
well as the cost Of operation, approx
innate $5,275,oO0."
The business of 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 Of de-
veloping the resources. The rapidly
increasing 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 I'M
stable and unhealthy condition of the
lumber market a steady and increasing
local demand for National Forest tim
Der Is created by the upbuilding of the
country. This demand will be con-
stantly growing even though sales for
the general market will fluctuate with
the prevailing business conditions. The
returns from grazing will increase as
more stock uses the forests, in con-
sequence Of range Improvement and
the development Of new range. IL is
stated.
A moderate annual increase for three
years in the grazing fee is contemplat-
ed which, If put into operation, viii
eventually bring the grazing receipts
to mere than 100000 a year, as com
pared with approximately 81, 200. 900 in
the fiscal year 1915. 1t is pointed ont
that when regulation Of grazing on the
forests began a law scale of char1es
was adopted. During the last ten wears
the value OF the forage to the stockmen
nus materially increased because az the
improved methods Of handling the
SOCK which have been introduced.
Whiie some readjustment of grazing
charges has taken place, there has
peen no general advance in the rate.
instances are quoted which show
that grazing fees on private ~ Yra;a.
ANUS adjacent to the National Forests
e tnucn higher than those charxed
oy tne Government for Nationa{ sTor-
esq range. In one locality In Mo3fara
~ is stated. 81 cents per head VA Maid
ioI grazing sheep on Indian lands
whne charge Of only 10 1-2 cents re,.
neao was made on nearby National
rorest lands. In the same place the
rate on cattle was s. on Indian ,,rd
as against 81 cents on the Nat;ona,
Forest. e Nauonal
,.,... Inc present demand for grazing
tsn on a majority of the Ne
.'onai Forests" says the report "far
sceeus the carrying capacity ana ~
I'LL no rs on the increase ITndar
49, conditions the stockmen ns;na
;ne -. Mauonal Forest ranges are eninv,
80. special privileges over those wbo.
ust pay tor range on a comnet,t,we
prinr,n,. ~ w.lnout. It is an established
t,ss,.s 9 national Forest admins
=. $4,000 man who is accorded
q exclusive use Of land