The Semi-weekly leader., 1922-01-11

wardens, and the commission could
impose whatever restrictions or rules
or expense it desired and its decision
would be final.
Seriously Gripping the operations Of
sawmills, leading merchants argue,
would inevitably result in putting
many merchants in a great number Of
communities out of business, as we'll
as throwing thousands Of wage-earners
in the mills out of work, possibly caus-
ing abandonment of numerous small
communities now thriving because Of
the lumber industry. In this day Of
widespread unemployment such a con-
tingency should give the peop.e serious
concern.
Still more far-reaching in its effects,
according to those who have examined
the measure, the bill would work a
hardship upon and bring increased ex-
pense to thousands Of farmers through
out Mississippi who own small private
groves Of trees or wood lots, because
the requirements as to providing for
est fire patrols, burning off land, keep
ing up hogs, etc, and restrictions as
to cutting, clearing away the debris Of
trees and other things would apply to
all private owners of trees or groves.
Many a small farmer might be re-
quired, under the act, to hire fire pa
troll for his grove of trees out of sight
Of his home.
hA
upon all railroads by the bill, both
common carriers and private logging
roads being affected and in addition
the act would make it possible for the
forestry commission and its wardens
to institute a system of petty annoy
ance and harassment upon a great
proportion Of the citizens of the state
that would lead to deplorable condi-
ton Of affairs.
A few years ago there was a pro-
posal to create in Mississippi a State
Fish and Game Commission with a
flock Of fish and game wardens to
"snoop" about and annoy people. The
voice Of the voters was raised so loud
and strong against that fish and game
commission bill, however, that it was
promptly killed, for the taxpayers and
citizens of Mississippi would have
none Of 1t. The forestry bill now un.
der consideration is declared to be q
piece Of the same sort of legislation
opening the way for the building up
Of permanent and tremendously pow
erful machine to control state affairs
by small clique and to harass and
annoy reputable, law-abiding citizens
in the legitimate pursuit of their busI-
ness. Judging from the growing SEN
timent recently manifested against the
proposed forestry bill 1t, too, will be
relegated to the tall timber"
Regarding forestry legislation by
any of the states at this time, It Is
pointed out both in Mississippi and
other states, that however desirable
such legislation may be, this is not the
oportune time for the states to act for
most excellent reasons. There are
now pending before the national House
and Senate in Washington, q number
Of national forestry bills, an important
feature of all of which is a provision
for extending federal aid, through fed.
eral funds, to the various states in the
matter Of protection and reproduction
Of forests. The principle in this pend
ing national forestry legislation with
respect to federal aid is identical with
that embodied in the federal aid to the
states in constructing good roads.
Hearings are to be held in Washing
on before congressional committees on
national forestry legislation beginning
January 9, when it is hoped a measure
satisfactory to all interests will be
evolved for enactment. In order to
share in the benefits of federal aid for
forestry and get its proportion Of fed.
eral money, each state will be obliged
to enact laws conforming to the ma
tional forestry act.
At the present session of the Missis-
sippi legis. ature this cannot be done
and persons well informed on the sub
ject contend that Mississippi legisla-
tors should not take up the valuable
time Of this session and spend large
amount Of the peoples money useless
ly in discussion and enactment of for
estry laws which most probably viii
have to be repealed at the next session
In order to conform to the require
ments Of the forthcoming national act
giving federal add to the states.
For these reasons many influential
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