The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-01-24
Ex-FoREsTER HAWEs OBJECTS
Opposes Consolidation Proposed BY
Governor Graham


Burlington, Jan. 22.--In a letter is
sued today for publication in the state
press by A. F. Hawes. who recently
resigned as state forester, Mr.. Hawes
severely criticies Gov. H. Fl Ora
hams plan to consolidate the state
forestry and state agricultural depart
ments. He does not question the gov
ernor's sincerity in advancing the con-
solidation plan but he does question
whether It will be for the best inter
ests of the state. He states that the
governor evidently did not consult
anyone on this move which is opposed
to all Of the best forestry thought in
the country.
In all states where forestry work is
most efficiently handled, says Mr..
Hawes, 1t has been organized under
a non-political board, coordinate with
the department of agriculture but not
subordinate to 1t.
He points out that IL is not in the
line of efficiency and Is manifestly IL
logical to subordinate the work or
forestry improvement, etc. in a state
which has such vast area of forest
and waste lands as Vermont. these
lands comprising 3,7l9,000 acres or GA
per cent of the states area. He fur
ther points out that 1t would be diff
cult to get an efficient forester to
serve in a subordinate capacity under
the commissioner of agriculture.
Gov. Graham intimated before the
Farmers club that forestry work
should be done entirely by a field
man, and Mr.. Hawes, in referring to
this. remarks that the chief executive
does not say who is to answer the
many technical letters from all parts
of the nation. He says that no com
missioner of agriculture would be able
to answer these letters.
The preparation OF bulletins and re-
ports, the letter states, takes time.
the governor not stating whether
these should be given up. II a trained
forester is to be employed Mr.. Hawes
believes the people should have the
benefit of his knowledge through bull
letins, and if a trained forester Is not
to be employed the work had better
be dropped and the money saved.
II the forestry work was TO be re-
moved from Burlington and the Uni
versity OF Vermont as contemplated
In the consolidation bill then, accord
ing to Mr.. Hawes, there will be two
distinct agencies carrying on forestry
work in the state and Vermont Is too
small for this.
He further points out that Vermont
was one of the first states that was
in a position by virtue of its forestry
department to take advantage Of the
Weeks law and has received from
$4,000 to $4,000 year of federal money
for fire protection. The employment
of a lookout station watchman and
patrolmen is very essential to the
large lumber interests. he states. The
federal authorities can withhold aid
il forestry in any state is not being
conducted efficiently.
The American Forestry association
at meeting held in Washington last
week commended the progress made
by several states in forestry and con-
demned as dangerous to forestry any
plan of combination. 1t is understood
this referred particularly to Minneso-
to and Vermont where such move
ments are under consideration.
Mr.. Hawes closed by saying that
experiments in government are expen-
sive and that it Is we'll to consider
carefully what has been done else
where.