New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-01-14

81 have sought to emphasize the thought Of re-
forestation, because l think 1t Is highly essential
for the United States Of America to ever be think
ing of self-rellance. We are so blessed with Gods
bounty, so varied In our productivity and so bound.
less In our resources, that the combination Of
American genius and a commltal to conservation
and cultivation will leave us independent of the
resources or the activities of the remainder of the
world"
Virgin forests of the United States covered 800
million acres, the American Forestry association
points out. They are now shrunk to One-sixth
of that area. All classes OF forest land, including
culled, burned, and cut-over areas, now aggregate
463 million acres, or a little more than One-half
of our original forests. OF the forest land re.
naming and not utilized for farming or any other
purpose. approximately 81 million acres have been
so severely cut and burned as to become an I'M
productive waste. This area Is equivalent to the
combined forests of Germany, Holland, Denmark,
Belgium, France, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal.
There is consumed or destroyed every year. SO
billion board feet of material of saw timber size.
The total yearly consumption of all classes of
timber is about % billion cubic feet. Our de-
pleted forests are growing less than one fourth
of this amount. The United States Is not only
cutting heavily into Its remaining virgin forests
every year, but Is also using up the smaller ma
terial. upon which the future supply of saw tim.
Der depends, much more rapidly than 1t is being
replaced. 1he prODlen Is one OF the present as
well as the future.
The American Forestry association Is making
n vigorous campaign for congressional legislation,
establishing a national forest policy. 1t has an
nounced an outline of features to be embodied In
this legislation. This announcement was made,
following n conference in New York attended by
the following:
Ebert III. Baker and S. L. Weston, representing
the American Newspaper Publishers association;
George w. Sisson, Jr. ID. A.. Croker, W. f. Has,
kell. r.. s. Kellogg. and c. II. Worcester, represent
ing the American Paper and Pulp association; 9.
W. Mccullough, chamber of commerce Of the Unit
ed States; George 5. Long, National Lumber Manu-
facturers' association; +. F. Perry, National
Wholesale Lumber Dealers association; =. L.
Allen, Western Forestry and Conservation asso-
citation; John Foley, Association of Wood Using
Industries; Col. William Il. Greeley, U. s. for
ester; Charles Lathrop Pack and T. s. Ridsdale
Of the American Forestry association.
Charles Lathrop Pack, president Of the Amer
lean Forestry association. thus outlines the pro-
posed legislation:
Authorizing the secretary of agriculture. after
consulting appropriate local agencies, TO approve
an adequate policy for each state. covering the
essentials of fire protection on timbered and re-
stocking lands. reforestation of denuded lands.
and, where and to the extent necessary. the cut
mote continuous production of timber on lands
chiefly suitable therefor, and authorizing his CO.
operation In the work required, provided there
is also satisfactory local compliance in state leg
islatlon or administrative practice. Chief al