The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-01-29

though not entire emphasis for the tin e beng Oh
fire prevention, as the most Important single s'ep'
and not less than million dollars annually a'aii
able for such cooperation with states.
A survey to obtain necessary information as I"
forest resources forest production and forest IL
quirements of the nation.
Provision for studies and experiments in forest
reproduction methods, wood utilization, tnipei
tests. wood preservation, development OF by-proo-
ucts and other steps bring about the most ehee
five use of the nations forest resources
Provision for a study of forest taxation " as
sist states in devising tax laws which Will ehcoui
age the conservation and growing Oh TIMBER. fAso
of methods of insuring against forest losses ny
fire.
Provision for rapid repantlng or the vast
areas of denuded lands within the national 1ores.s
Appropriation of ten million dollars year for
five wears for the purchase of lands when shcuio
he added to the national forest system. whether or
not on the headwaters of navigable streams d.
such purchases are now limited
Authorizing acquisition of similar lands by ex-
changes of land or timber when clearly in the pub
lie interest. !,
Authorizing the addition, ITO; national forests oi
lands now in other forms of government owner
ship but found chiefly suitable for permanent ior'
est production.
sSThere appear to be two schools OF thousht IN
connection with the national forest problem, says
N Weston 1.-THE extreme cOnservatiOnlsts appear
TO be advocating absolute government control or
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
arnment with state ard individual owners.
"While the first policy may be theoretically
ideal it is obvious that before it can be put into
practice the federal government would invade the
rights of the states and individuals to an extent
unprecedented in the history of the government
~ am heartily in accord with the suggested
form of legislation Endorsed by the New York con-
ference 1t is my opinion that it includes the es-
senials necessary, not only for the protection OF
the existing forests, but for their perpetuation and
conversion into an increasing asset"
Mr. Weston's Endorsement of Mr.. Packs legis-
lative program emphasizes the fact that in tack
ling the forest problem, congress has big job
ahead of it. Mr. Weston indorses 1t because OF
it's contrast with the plan of absolute government
control Of timber. Nevertheless, there many
people who will consider even Mr. Packs program
as altogether too nationalistic.
Some of the eastern states will doubtless feel
that way, especially those which well along
in constructive and effective state forest policy
of their own.
Then there are people who regard the Depart
ment Of Agriculture already too big and un-
wiehy They are likely to object to giving the
secretary Of agriculture the additional power he
would get through this legislation.
There are people who harshly criticize the for.
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 50 900 OOO
They think the national forests are large enough
now-they now number 152 and contain $50 800
716 acres, of which little over Sc per cent is
public land; their net increase last year was g.
03S,5S3 acres. Some even charge the forest serv-
Ice with neglect of fire protection and other lesiti-
mate activities. while promoting its recreation
schemes In the national parks There is a bili
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
MT. Pack have merit The question is: what
agency is to undertake them7 II congress can
reconcile the warning partisans, get them united
on national forest policy aid program and pass
Hesitation that viii embody the best ideas of all
and grateful.