Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-02-09
VERMONT FORESTRY
American Forestry Association
Think Forestry in This State
Will Not be Advanced byHouse
Bill 80; and 1t Is Not an Eco
nOmical Measure.

In previous letter we have at
tempted to point out that the con-
solidation of Agriculture and Fores-
try as proposed in Vermont is not
truly an economy measure. The
American Forestry Association has
1900 members scattered through
out the country, who are vitality in
terested in the advan cement of for
estry. A blow to the work in one
state, especially one which has been
considered so advanced as Vermont,
is felt deeply by all.
On casual perusal of House Bill
80 the evils of it may not be appar-
emit. The powers and duties of the
State Forester are described at
length, but when one studies it care
fully he finds that the Commissioner
of Agriculture, a man who presum-
ably knows nothing of forestry, is to
be the state forester. The bill says
that the Commissioner may" ap-
point technically trained forester
as deputy. He may" appoint other
assistants, and it naturally occurs to
one acquainted with legislative mat
ters that the bill may be drawn in
the interest Of someone looking for
this position, who is not a technically
trained forester. 1t should at least
say: 1.-THE Commissioner shall ap-
point a technically trained forester
as deputy"
Even under such law we can i'm
agine that Vermont will have diff
ficulty in getting as efficient fores-
ter as it could If forestry were main
tanned coordinate with Agriculture.
There are two things in which every
forester is more interested than sal
AIRY, altho of course he has to have a
living wage. He wants a position
which offers some permanency
Nothing can be accomplished in for
estry in two years; very little in four
years. The forester wants, first of
all results, and these take time.
Secondly, he wants an opportunity
to develop his own policy.
The Commissioner of Agriculture
in Vermont is appointed by the Gov
ernor, and the Governor is changed
every two years. There is no civil
service, hence forestry deputy may
be dismissed if he gains the dislike
of either Governor or Commissioner.
A first class forester will be wary
about leaving a position in the Gov
eminent or elsewhere to take such a
precarious post.
A forester working under a Com
missioner of Agriculture, would find
himself controlled by a superior
whose interest is of necessity divided
between several lines of work. If
he is indifferent to forestry there is
no appeal. Paralysis of initiative
follows, and the forester becomes
discouraged and either sinks to the
position of routine clerk, or resigns
to be replaced by some less able and
enterprising man.
The two points above mentioned
will be carefully considered by any
forester before he accepts the posi-
ton of deputy under a Commissioner
of Agriculture. AS minated above
there may not be any intention I'M
der this bill of employing a technic-
ally trained forester.
1t is claimed by some that the
elimination of several boards, and
the substitution of single depart
ment will cut down expenses. The
Board of Agriculture and Forestry
in Vermont is not salaried. There
are undoubtedly many public spirited
men in the State who will give their
time and interest to the work, as
they have in the past. No saving is
effected by dispensing with these
services.
The services of the executive will
be required, as before, and the sup
er-imposing of some higher officials,
as the Commissioner of Agriculture,
over the forester cannot possibly in &.
crease the latter's efficiency and can
result in economy only by cutting
down his salary or getting a cheaper
man. We understand that the pro-
posed bill would raise the salary Of
the Commissioner of Agriculture by
over $1,000 year. The expense for
clerical labor can not be reduced un-
ess the work itself is curtailed, The
bill does not therefore appear to be
in the interest of economy.