The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-20
Marked Progress Shown in
State Forestry Legislation

cooperative forest protection fund, al
lotted to states maintaining an effec-
tive fire detection and suppression sys-
tenn. Two others have applied recently
for such assistance. Public backing OF
the movement to preserve the remain
ing forests from destruction by fire,
and to put idle forest lands to work
growing trees, is becoming widespread,
and the effects of the popular demand
for action is shown clearly in the state
laws passed this year.
Pennsylvania, under the direction of
Clifford Pinchot, the new commissioner
of forestry, leads all states in forest
activities. The biennial appropriation
passed by the legislature and approved
by the governor carried S1,870,000, an
increase of $s63,300 over the appropri-
alton of 1919; s1,00O,O00 of the total is
for fire protection. The legislature also
passed an act empowering the federal
government to acquire lands on the
watersheds of navigable streams with
in the state, by purchase or condem-
nation, and to control and regulate
such reserves.
The Minnesota legislature was more
generous with the state forestry board
than ever before. A total of $275,500 for
general forestry work was appropri-
ated for the next two years, of which
s125,000 a year is for the fire protec-
ton. The last named sum was aug
mented by an additional allotment of
$4,000 from the state board of relief.
For the equipment of q flying field
near the Twin Cities, $4,000 was
voted. This provision was to meet the
offer of the federal government to
furnish the service of IL planes If the
necessary hangers and flying field
were provided. While the primary
aerial mail communication, the planes
will be able to render effective service
in sporting" forest fires.
In California, where there has been
much favorable sentiment toward for
estry for many years, the legislature
voted a substantial increase in appro-
priation for the state board of forestry
for the biennial period beginning
July 1.
For the prevention and suppression
Of fires $4,000 was appropriated; for
general administration, $4,000; for a
study of watershed areas, $4,000, and
to establish and maintain state forest
nurseries, $4,000. The legislature also
voted 100000 for the purchase of red
wood timber land for park purposes
along the state highway in Mendencino
and Humboldt counties, the area to be
administered by the state board of
forestry.
Other important forestry legislation
passed this year was as follows:
Bills for the compulsory teaching Of
fire prevention in public schools were
passed by California, Rhode Island and
West Virginia. A similar measure
was passed by the New York legisla-
ture but vetoed by the governor New
Jersey already has such a law.
Maine increased the annual tax on
land within the forestry district from
"a to IA mills on the dollar, the
taxes thus collected to be used exclu-
sively for protection from fire of the
forests within the district; provided
for the creation and management of
state forests, acquired by purchase or
gift, by the state forester; adopted
improved means for controlling the
disposal of numbering sIush, and the
encouragement of timberland owners
to practice forestry on their lands
through concession in taxation.
Ohio passed a forest fire law and
appropriated $4,000 a year for two
years for the prevention and suppress
sion of fires; also made an appropria-
ton for the purchase of lands for state
forests.
Tennessee passed a general forestry
bill and appropriated $4,000 for fire
protection and $500 for general fores-
try purposes.
North Carolina increased the state
appropriation for forest protection
from $500 to $4,000.
In Louisiana, provision for state
control of all natural resources. in
Guiding forests, was provided for by
constitutional convention held early
this year.
In New Hampshire provisions were
made for leaving seed trees on cut
over pine lands, for redistricting of the
state for forest fire purposes, and for
compulsory forest fire control on
large cumberland holdings.
Ing the state forestry administration
and protection work, and for more lib
era1 appropriations.
Several of the other state legisla-
lures have also had forestry questions
under consideration. which have made
for progress, even where, as in Florida.
no definite legislative enactment took
place.
The Georgia legislature, now in ses-
sion, has before it a bill providing for
the appointment of board to inyesti-
gate the forest conditions of the state
and to report legislation necessary to |
solve the forest problem. In order to |
arouse public interest In this irnpor- |
tant movement, a meeting of the
Southern Forestry congress was held
in Atlanta, during the greater part of /
June. and attended by over $50 promi- |
nent men representing the most ac- /
tive forestry interests in the eastern /
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