Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-20
F. L. BlTLER
On Pennsylvania's Forests

THE forests of the State of Pennsylvania
1 have proved to be one Of the best in
vestments that the State has ever made from
any standpoint, says F. l.. Bitler, secretary
and treasurer Of the Pennsylvania Forestry
Association.
"Pennsylvania may we'll be proud OF the
part she has taken in the great advance OF
the movement for the restoration Of our
disappearing forests" said Mr.. Bitter Inc Inc
movement began in Congress exactly n1ty
years ago, although the measure proposed
that year was defeated by small majority
and It was not until almost ten years later
that the first really productive national for.
estry literature made its appearance: IL
is interesting to note, however, that the
sponsors of the movement both times were
members from our state.
Women Founded Association
80 far as the Pennsylvania Association
is concerned. the real founders OF II We're
two Philadelpha - women. ss:.b Mrs. brrm,oh r'no,,
credit must also be given to John birkin'
bine. who. at great personal sacrifice, re-
NAMED as president Of the organization for
many years and did much to make its ex-
stence in the early days possible.
The State Association was founded In
1885 and it has had useful life of more
than thirty six years, with every prospect
of enlarged usefulness as the need OF re-
forestation and Of preserving what timber
we have left makes its way deeper aLd
deeper into the public consciousness Isl" .uor,
acre must produce its best crop. In the
eastern half of the State millions OF young
trees are being set out every year IN farm
and home wood lots. to say nothing OF the
additional millions planted annually on the
State Forest Reserves.
''Tbe state Forest Department is pre-
nsring 10 supply young trees to the planters
Tor t6e mere cost of packing and sending
them. and in the spring OF lo22 this de-
partment sent out to private planters o'opJ;;
planters.
Many Failed to Understand
"a nrh,ic failure to understand the
o,ms and the motives Of the Pennsylvania
Forestry Association halted its growth for
many Years. BY many who lived in the
regions where numbering was extensively
carried on it was supposed 20 o oe ctuor an "eifp o
nrov.nt them. 1t was not until the late
iienry ] Cochran. Of Lycoming County,
became interested in the work OF the asso'
cistion and made clear to the NUMBERING IN
terests that the associhtlon PURPOSE was
TO assist and not to prevent such opera
tions that real progress was made.
''V" .,pnt Il was not until 1893 that the Leg
,s,otnre approyed a bill creating a Forestry
Commission whose duty 1t should be to M en'
an,use ,Inns in the state. This report was made in
1893 and an act was passed creating q q
Rureau of Forestry in the Department OF
naricuiture Tie bill was promptly signed
nv Goyernor Hastings, who appointed the
iotc DR.. J. r. Rothrock chief OF this
hureau, During the administration of Gov
ornor stone the Forestry Bureau was sep
orated from the Department of Agriculture
and made department.
DIR. Rothrocl's Work
.pennsylyania's debt to Dr. ROthrock for
,,hat no did for its forests can never be paid.
IL TOOK an active interest In the work of
no association from its start, and three
Jars before the department was organized
10 had given up his work at the University
~ PENNSYLVANIA to devote his entire time 10
sorsstry work, travelling throughout the
State and trying to arouse the citizens to
he need of prompt action to save our few
ramaining forests and reclaim our devastated
mountain sides.
s;oner is now 30 well known az not TO need
ranetition here. but in his death, which oc =.
cnrred last June, the State lost not only
one of her great forestry experts, but one
OF her most high minded and valuable
citizens.
when Che Bureau OF Forestry was Or
ganized the state did not own an acre OF
laW set asi(h for forestrl purposes, though
there wercfu least 7.1OO.OO0 acres from
whieh thu ~ ahas had been removed and the