Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-22

,,7o OHIO plants a tree plants
66NlM love This is the ArOor
V\W day message of Mrs. Ly-
" v dia Adams-Williams of
the United States forest service, who
possibly has done more than any other
of her sex for the furtherance of tree
planting in the United States, for she
was the first woman to write and lee
ture on national conservation. For her
accomplishments in forest conservation
Mrs Adams Williams was especially
honored last year by being elected an
honorary member of the Pan-Amerfcan
Scientific Congress. when that body held
its convention in Washington, and she
was the only woman to receive this dis
tinction.
This era OF war is the time to plant
trees as a matter of national conserVa-
ton" said Mrs Adams Williams in a
recent interview. Nothing must permit
a slackening in the viSor with wnich
the conservation of our national re-
sources must he pursued, and to encour-
age the planting of forests and single
trees is the duty of every American citi-
zen today, for our forests are among
our most valuable resources. My ad-
vice TO every citizen this coming Arbor
day is. plant a tree and You are per-
forming a genuine act of patriotism and
loyalty
x
IF we do not have forests we cannot
have water, and it is gratifying to know
that the conservation of TINA tueral re-
sources of the country has taken
rapid stride forward during the past
year. and among the most important
legislation of last Congress were its
conservation measures Perhaps you
took note that bill was passed appro-
priating 100000 for continuing the
purchase of forested lands at the head
waters of navigable streams in New
England and the southern Appalachians.
This was accomplished through the
Weeks low law for which the women
of the country should have some credit.
for they worked indefatigably for il
through the state and national forestry
and conservation departments of their
clubs. The forest service division of
the Department of Agriculture, Is the
government agent in all matters pertain
ing TO forestry and In the carrying ont
nj the Weeks act IL has acquired lands
~ low prices in areas where such hold
iuss viii be Of great public service and
the whole area has been included in the
Appalachian national forest.
Another interesting measure of con-
servation consummated last year was
the appropriation of a million dollars
wear for ten years, to he spent by
construction and maintenance of roads
and trails within, partly within or
near the national forests in all the
states. The work is to be done in CO.
operation with the various states and
counties The roads are intended
primarily for the purpose of develop
ing the resources of the national for
ests. hut they are also serving the pur-
nose Of opening up new areas for
settlers and travellers.
81 suppose II is natural for me TO say
-" but do firmly believe that the con
scrvation of the forests of the United
states j. the most important form of
material conservation in America to-
day. and, in my estimation. when Con
gross March 3, 1891. empowered The.
President Of the United States to With
draw certain forest lands from settle
Inent. and, later on, in 1897, provided
for the administration of these forest
lands as national forests, a tremendous
impetus was given 10 the progress and
development Of this country.
The national forests of our country
are created 20 preserve 4 perpetual
supply of timber for home Industries
20 prevent destruction Of the forest
cover which regulates the flow az
streams and to protect local residents
from unfair competition in the use Of
forest and range They are patrolled
ard protected at government expense
FOR the benefit of the community and
the home builder.
In the administration OF the forest
reserves all land is to be devoted 70
its most productive use for the ner-
manent good Of the whole people. and
this use must be brought about in a
thoroughly prompt and businesslike
manner. UNDER such restrictions only as
Viii insure the permanence OF the re-
sources.
AT the present time there are in the
United states and its territories 1872
national forests. In direct control Of
these forests are l4f supervisors, as
SISTED ty - deputy supervisors but
tie men VINO do the work, the men be-
hind the guns, in the national forests
ace the IKE forest rangers. whose du-
ties are 20 administer the business Of
tae national forests and TO guard
against the arch fire The for
est ranger belongs to one Of the most
Intelligent, useful and efficient bodies
OF men in the service of the govern
ment.
HThera arc ICE O0O 600 acres NJ ma