The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-01-15

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 avail
able for such cooperation with states
A surrey to obtain necessary information as to
forest resources forest production and forest re-
uuirements of the nation.
Provision for studies and experiments IN forest
reproduction methods wood utilization timber
tests wood preservation, development of by-prod-
nets and other steps to bring about the most enec
tive use of the nations forest resources
Provision for a study of forest taxation. to as
sist states In devising tax laws which VIII ehcour
age the conservation and growing ofntimber. Also
of methods of insuring against forest losses Oy
fire.
Provision for more rapid replaIting of the vast
areas of denuded lands within the national f0rests'
Augmentation of ten million dollars year for
five wears for the purchase of lands which shouiu
be added to the national forest system whether or
not on the headwaters of naylgaDle streams as
such purchases how limited
Autborizing acquisition of similar lands by ex-
changes of land or timber when clearly In the pub
lie interest.
Authorizing the addition to national forests OF
lands now in other forms of government owner
ship, bat found chiefly suitable for permanent io''
est production.
.sTbere sppear TO be two schools of thought N
connection with the national forest problem, SAYS
M Weston. "rhe extreme 0Onservationlsts appeaE
to be advocating absolute government conlroi VI
timber not only that owned by the government
hut also timber owned by states and individuals.
The other school advocates the development OF
uniform policy ON the part of the government
nroviding for cooperation the part of the gov
eminent with state and individual owners
awhile the first policy may be theoretically
ideal il is obvious that before IL can De put INTO
practice the federal government would invade tne
rights of the states and individuals to an extent
lie &f fhea rOUn
. 81 am heartily in accord with the suggested
~form Of legislation Endorsed by the New York con-
ference It is my opinion that it includes the es
sentiaIs' necessary net only for the protection OF
the existing forests but for their perpetuaton and
conversion into an increasing asset
Mr. Weston's Endorsement of Mr.. Packs legls-
lative program emphasizes the fact that in tack
ling the forest problem, congress has blg )oD
ahead of it. Mr. Weston indorses it because OK
its contrast with the plan of absolute government
control of timber. Nevertheless there are many
noon,a who will consider even Mr.. Packs program
as altogether too nationalistic
Some of the casters states win doubtless feel
that way especially those which are Wen aiohE
in constructive and effective state forest policy
of their own.
Then there are people who regard the DEPART
mont Of Agriculture as already too big and I'M
wieldv. They are likely to object to giving me
secretary of agriculture the additional power ne
would get through this legislation.
There are peopIe who harshly criticize the for
est service in charge of the national forests
They are disappointed that the forest service
ssfter fifteen years of control of the national TOT
ests still has an annual deficit OF about S-u"bVVo'
They think the national forests are large eaoush
now-they now number 152 and contain lShZ99,'
776 acres of which little over SO per ceht y
public land their net increase last year ""'
Oss.3S3 acres Some even charge the forest ser,
ice with neglect of fire protection and other 'esl'
mate activities while promoting its recreatio Oh
schemes in the national parks. Ihere Is Dll'
nending in congress to restore the natlohai Tot
ests TO fine Interior department from which they
were taken in 1909 80, -
Doubtless. all of the activities suggested oy
Mr. pack have merit. The question IS "na'
- >. 70 undertake them? II congress can
recesci;s the warning partisans, get them united
on a national forest policy and program ana pas
legislation that will embody me pest uess =, :.
and grateful.