Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-16
FOREST PROBLEMS
Discussed at D. A. R.
Meeting by Commits
sioner Dana of State
Forestry DEPT.

, dependent on wood" declared State
Forest Commissioner Samuel T.
Dana, Wednesday afternoon in an
address before KoussinOc Chapter.
y. A. r., at the Elks' Home on Win
throp street. Wood is an absolute
essential to u.s." said 1r. Dana.
Perhaps next to food. it is the most
important thing in our everyday life"
and he went on to mention some of
the numerous ways in which wood
and the products of the forests are
used in our homes. offices, recreations
and all departments Of ordinary life.
SIr. Dana's remarks had been
especially prepared for his audience
Of ladies. and in beginning his talk
re stated his belief that the long
time continuity appeal Of anything
connected with forestry is of par
ticular interest to women. In deal
ing with forestry problems. he point
ed out that one is providing not only
for the present but must take long
look into the future and declared that
this subject is of such Importance
that the way we handle our forest
! problems will determine our future
position as a nation among the other
cations.
Forests" he said, "are important
in and of themselves, but indirectly
they affect other things, notably, eli
matte conditions, winds, rainfall,
and stream flow, and prevent ero-
Sion''
| Touching briefly the lumber pro-
| duction aspect of forestry. Mr.. Dana
went on to sketch some Of the chem
! ical processes by which wood fibre
and pulp are changed to produce silk.
| cow feed and alcohol, and made the
! prediction that a few more years
may see this ethyl alcohol derived
| from wood replacing gasoline as fuel
| for motor cars.
After giving some statements I"
| show how the center Of timber pro-
| duction has gone steadily west and
| how more than half the states are i'm
| porting lumber and wood products.
! Mr. Dana turned to the problem OF
| how to care for our forests so that
they will continue to be productive.
THE statement is made" he said.
that in the country at large. wood
; is cut off four and half times as
fast as it grows, and at :his rate the
end will be reached in 40 or 90
years"
He then described the national
| forests which have been set aside in
the west and for which Congress has
made special provision for care and
use, and said they represent about
che fifth Of, the forest area of the
| country For the rest. provision
| must be made and among the plans
| suggested are direct federal control
| Of all cutting, or action by tie states
as individuals to cope with their own
problems.
| Coming to the situation in Maine,
Mr.. Dana noted that the most impor-
tant forestry work thus far is in the
| line Of fire protection and praised the
work that has been done ana is be-
| ing done in the Maine Forestry Dis
| trict. In addition TO fire. however.
F, insects and disease are deadly enemies
to which our forests are exposed and
! against which more vigorous action
ought to be taken. in Mr.. Dana's
opinion.
| The Maine Forestry association
which has this year resumed it's ac-
! tivities. came in for a large share OF
praise and its purposes and work
were explained briefly. although Mr..
/ Dana made it plain that this organi-
cation is entirely separate from the
State Forestry department. 1t is a
voluntary group of persons who are
, interested in helping to mold public
opinion ard educating people in mat
tiers connected with the conservation
of our forest resources. conceded TO
be one of the greatest factO"s in
Names development.
Preceding Mr.. Dana's address the
business meeting OF koussinoc Chap
ter was held with the regent, Mrs.
Blaine S. NiIes in the chair. Delegates
to the d. a. r. State Council to be
held at Lewiston March 1916 were
Nile.s. regent: Mrs. ". r.. Fisher, Mis-.
T.. S Reid. Mrs. E. ]. Philbrc!l. Mrs.
Eugene Merrill. Airs. Charles Hol-
way, Mrs Sarah G. Burlei9h. Mrs.
Roger North.
Alternates. Mrs. Walter Wyman,
vice regent: Mrs. Q. 9. Stctson, Mrs.
George Gay. Mrs. /. y. Edwards.
Mrs. c. Z. Millikcn. Mrs. G. ". Jones.
Mrs. Frank H. Sterling. Miss Alice
Reynolds.
Mrs. f. c. CARL. State Librarian,
will also attend the council.
At the close Of the business ses- !
sion Mrs. w. II. kenworthy sang a !
pleasing solo, accompanied by Mrs. |
George Brickett, and she sang again |
at the conclusion of Mr.. Dana's talk |
The lounging room of the Elks' |
Zone where the meeting was held |
was a most attractive place and
flowers were in evidence here and in |
the dining room where ices and cakes |
nuts and confections We're served J
Mrs. Blaine S. Niles and Mrs. Walter |
Wyman presided at the tables and
music was furnished by Phillip Mer-
rilI, piano, and Donald Hewett. vio-
lin. The hostesses OF the afternoon /
We're Mrs. Eugene Merrill Mrs. j. |
a1lS EiIoIeol, NTrc Vincent T3tt- (