The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-01-21

though not entire emphasis for the time being on
fire prevention as the most important single STEP
and not less than a million dollars annually aVah-
able for such cooperation with states
survey to obtain necessary information as TO
forest resources, forest production and forest re-
quirements of the nation.
Provision for studies and experiments IN torest
reproduction methods, wood utilization, timber
tests, wood preservation, development OF py-prou-
ucts and other steps bring about the most ehec-
tive use of the nations forest resources.
Provision for study of forest taxation. to as
sist states in devsing tax laws which VIII ehcour-
age the conservation and growing of timber Also
of methods of insurng against forest losses by
fire.
Provision for more rapid replanting of the vast
areas of denuded lands within the national forests.
Appropriation of ten million dollars a year FOR
five years for the purchase of lands which should
he added to the national forest system, whether or
not on the headwaters Of navgable streams as
such purchases are now limited
Authorizing acquisition of similar lands by ex-
changes Of land timber when clearly In the pub
lie interest.
lands now in other forms of government owner
shin but found chiefly suitable for permanent Tor
est production
.rThere appear to be two schools of thought In
connection with the national forest problem, says
NJ. Weston 1.-The extreme conservationists appear
timber not only that owned by the government
but also timber owned by states and individuals
The other school advocates the development of
uniform policy on the part of the government
providing for cooperation on the part OF the gov
ernment with state and individual owners.
eWhile the first policy may be theoretically
,daoI II is obvious that before It can be put into
nractice the federal government would invade the
rights of the states and individuals to an extent
unprecedented in the history of the government
81 am heartily in accord with the suggested
form of legislation Endorsed by the New York con-
ference. 1t is my opinion that 1t includes the es
sentals necessary, not only for the protection of
the existing forests but for their perpetuation and
conversion into an increasing asset"
Mr. Westons Endorsement of Mr.. Packs legis-
Iatiye program emphasizes the fact that In tack
ling the forest problem, congress has a big job
ahead of It, Mr.. Weston indorses 1t because of
its contrast with the plan of absolute government
control of timber. Nevertheless, there are many
neople who will consider even Mr.. Packs program
as altogether too nationalstic.
Some of the eastern states viii doubtless feel
that way. especially those which well along
in q constructive and effective state forest policy
of their own.
Then there are people who regard the Depart
ment of Agriculture as already too big and I'M
wiedy They are likely to object to giving the
secretary of agriculture the additional power he
would get through this legislation.
est service in charge of the national forests.
They are disappointed that the forest service,
after fifteen years of control Of the national for
ests still has an annual deficit of about 100000.
They think the national forests are large enough
now-they now number 152 and contain 1S0299,-
776 acres of which a little over Sc per cent is
public land; their net Increase last year was g.
O3s3 1888 acres. Some even charge the forest serv-
ice with neglect of fire protection and other legiti
mate activities while promoting its recreation
schemes in the national parks There is bill
pending in congress to restore the national for
ests to the Interior department from which they
were taken In 1905
Doubtless all of the activities suggested by
Mr. Pack have merit. The question Isl what
agency is to undertake them? If congress can
reconcile the warning partisans, get them united
on national forest policy and program and pass
legislation that will embody the best ideas of all
interests. the country viii be surprised, delighted
and grateful