The Mena weekly star., 1918-08-22
NATIONAL FOREST
 RECEIPTS MORE
p.- Fiscal Year Ending June 30 the Increase Over Previous Year Was s120 OOO-More Livestock Grazed
 but Less Timber Activity.

Washington, Aug. 15.-Receipts from the National Forests in the fis- cal year 1918, ending June 30, ex- ceeded those for 1917 by almost $120,- 900 and totaled over S3,574,000- The increase does not come up to the big increase of the year before, which was more than $600,O0O, but still shows a healthy growth in most lines of busi- ness on the forests. The cost of op- erating the forests was about S4,000,- 900. and was practically the same as the previous year. This is exclusive of the additional expenditures caused bv the very serious fire situation and for which a special deficiency appro- priation of over $700,000 was made by Congress.
 The years increase in receipts, ac- cording to the forestry officials, came mainly from the larger number of livestock grazed, altho every revenue producing activity on the forests ex- cept timber business and permits for water power contributed its share. The timber business fell off in conse- auence of the general let-up in priv ate building activities on account of the war, the dislocation of transpor- tation facilities during much of the year, and the labor situation, especial ly in the northwest, where the timber business is ordinarily largest.
 The falling off in receipts in water power permits was caused, it is be- lieved, by the uncertainty created by pending legislation. Many prospec- tive permittees are holding back un- til final action has been taken on the legislation now under consideration.
 Timber sales yielded over $1,500,- 900 and livestock grazing over $1,- 100000. Slightly less than $10O,000 was brought in by the permits for water-power development Other forms of land occupancy, including leases of land for summer homes, ho- tells, club grounds, apiaries, fish hatcheries and canneries, brought in about S120,000. The sale of turpen- tine privileges on the Florida forest brought in a little over $S,000.
 Much of the use of the national forests is free. Settlers and residents of the small communities in and near the forests are allowed without charge reasonable amounts of wood for fuel In addition, the settler may obtain timber for use in the improvement and maintenance of his farm and is given the privilege to graze free not to exceed ten head of milch and work animals.
 Fees for grazing animals brougLt in approximately S1,039,0O0 and for sheep S663,000. Special efforts were made during the past year to in- crease the use of the ranges to the fullest extent in order ts~ meet the needs of the nation for meat, wool, and hide production On one forest new range for 75,000 sheep was open ed by building a special barge to transport the sheep across a lake to high mountain grazing lands which could not be reached in any other way.
 Considerable cooperation was also gwen the Forest Service by grazing permittees in the construction of drift fences and the improvement of watering places. Altho the range is being used to the limit the forestry ofleials are regulating the use care fully, with a view to preventing any permanent damage to carrying ca- pacity.