New-York tribune., 1920-11-15
Countrywide
Forest Policy
Is Outlined
Bill To Be Introduced i'm
Congress Calls for Fire
Protection and Appropria-
ton of III Million a Year
Every State Is Affected
Program Includes Develop
ment and RefOrestation
of Denuded Sections

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14.-When Con-
grcss meets in December bill will be
introduced for a national forest pro-
gram including better fire protection
for the forests. This step, following
an agreement by all the industries in
terested, marks the first united move
in this direction in this country" says
Charles Lathrop Pack, president of the
American Forestry Association, which
announces the outline of features to be
embodied in the proposed legislation.
The plan calls for national appropria-
tions of at least l,00O 900 a year.
The provisions Of the proposed meas
ure are twofold--for a considerable ex-
tensionJf direct Federal activity in
forest ownership and production, and
for the development with Federal aid
and encouragement of systematic poll
cles in the several forested states to
bring about adequate forest production
and reproduction.
The program provides specifically,
through cooperation between the gov
ernment, the states and owners of tim
ber lands, for adequate protection
against forest fires, for reforesta-
tion of denuded lands, for obtain
ing essential information in regard to
timber and timber lands, for extension
OF the national forests and for other
steps essential to continuous forest
production on lands chiefly suitable for
this purpose.
Survey Is Proposed
The following legislation is pro-
posed:
Authorizing the Secretary Of Agri-
culture, after consulting appropriate
local agencies, to approve an adequate
policy for each state, covering fire
protection, reforestaton, cutting and
removing of timber crops Not less
than $1,000,000 annually available for
such cooperation with states.
A survey of forest resources, forest
production and forest requirements Of
the nation.
Provision for studies and exepri-
ments in forest reproduction methods,
wood utilization, timbe" tests, wood
preservation, development of by-prod-
ucts and other steps to brng about
the most effective use of the nation 5
forest resources.
Provision for studies and expert
ton, to assist states in devising tax
laws which will encourage the conser-
walton and growing of timber Also of
methods of insuring against forest
losses by fire.
Provision for more rapid replanting
of the vast areas of denuded lands
within the national forests.
Appropriation of Sl0,000,000 a year
for five years for the purchase of lands,
which should be added to the national
forest system. whether or not on the
headwaters of navigable streams as
such purchases are now limited.
Authorizing the addition TO national
forests of lands now III other forms of
government ownership, but found
chiefly suitable for permanent, forest
production.
Every State Affected
'Thc very great Importance Of this
program and the suggestion outlined
cannot be overestimated," said Mr.,
Pack. They affect every state in the
Union and the business interests of
every state, which means that every
man who wants to build home, who
this important Legislation.
"lt so happens this united move for
national forest policy continues Mr..
Pack comes al an opportune time, and
its Importance TO the welfare of every
citizen cannot be overestimated. The
plan ties up with water power develop
ment and the coal situation. When we
put the millions Of waste power to work
the coal situation will begin. to right
itself Water power development and
reforestation should go hand in hand.
We are at the door of great commercial
development. Let us open that door"
The meeting which decided upon
national forest policy was attended by
J ohm Foley, representing the Associa-
tion of Wood Using Industries; Charles
Lathrop Pack and P. S. Ridsdale Of the
American Forestry Association; Elbert
II. Baker, of the Cleveland Plain