East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-08-01
OREGON FORESTS HELP
NATIONAL REVENUES.
BY SPLENDID AMOUNT.
ONE FOURTH OF TOTAL REVE-
NUE. FOR YEAR ARISES FROM
OREGON RESERVES.
Timber and Grazing Each Bring Over
Million and Half In Receipts Dur
ing Year: Demand for Timber Is
Stimulated.

PORTLAND. Aug. 1.-Receipts
from the National Forests in the fis-
cal year just closed exceeded those
for 1916. the banner previous year.
By more than 100000. and totaled
over $3,45G,00O. Practically one
fourth Of this increase came from the
National Forests of Oregon, Wash
ington and Alaska The cost Of OPP
Grating the Forests about $1,000. 900
was virtually. the same az in 1915.
The increase, according to the for
estry officials. came chiefly from a
more active timber business and from
the higher fees charged for grazing,
although practically every form Of
use OF the Forests was greater than
ever before and nearly every revenue
producing activity contributed to the
gain The only exception was that of
sales OF turpentining privileges,
which fell off nearly one half. Since
these sales are made only on the
Florida Forest the receipts from this
source are relatively small.
The timber business realized for the
government over $l.G00,OOO and live
stock grazing over 81, 100000. Per-
mits for waterpower development
brought in over 100000 and other
forms of land occupancy. including
leases Of land for summer homes. as
much more. In this item the gain
was Is per cent
1t is pointed out by the Forest Ser
vice that many forms Of use of the
Forests bring in no revenue. Settlers
in and near the Forests are allowed
much free timber for domestic and
farm use and are also allowed free
grazing up to ten head of milch or
work animals. As public recreation
grounds the Forests are open to- all
without charge, while their almost
inestimable value for water conserva-
tion is maintained solely at the cost
Of the government. Although their
administration and protection as pub
lic utilities necessitate large expendi-
lures which yield no money returns,
the narrowing gap between expendi-
tures and receipts holds out the pros
pect those in charge of the work
feel that the revenUes will i'm no
great time exceed the operating
cost
With the demand for timber mark
eddy stimulated by war conditions. the
government foresters anticipate fur
thcr increase in the National Forest
cut and the receipts for timber dur
ing the current year, on the other
hand, they point out that an increase
IN business will necessarily call for
more work and increased costs Con
gress provided for this by increas-
ing tho funds available this year for
National Forest administration and
r-uiectiou by about $50. 900.
Ge the grazing receipts cattle fur
nish approximately 100000 and
~ erp $50. 600 account Of the feed
FhortaEe faced by the livestock indus
tiy throughout great part Of the
west last spring, and because of the
leeds of the nation for meat. wool
and hide production. the stock were
admitted early and up TO the fun linn
az Of the carrying capacity of tn,
ranges. As a resul. of regulated
grazing the capacity of the ranges
has been growing greater for some
) ears. the Forest Service officials
state and the increase in grazing
receipts is in part due to the fact that
the herds on the Forests this sum
tnrr are larger than in any previous
season.