The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1922-01-12
Proposed Forestry
| Bill Is Opposed
WOULD CREATE NEW DEPART.
MENT WITH UNLIMITED
POWERS.
Would Create Forestry Commission
Measurs, II Passed, II 10 Said, Would
Cripple Industry and Hit the
Farmsrs-conpress to
Pass Bill.

Pass Bill.
jackson, Miss.-Widespread senti.
msnt in opposition to proposed Mis-
sissippt state forestry bill. introduced
ct the present session Of the Mississippi
legislature, has developed with increas.
Ing strength recently among all classes
OF Mississippi citizens, farmers, mer.
chants. workmen, builders. lumbermen
and others, owing to the numerous OBJ.
tectionable features of the bill which
are considered highly detrimental to
the welfare Of the state generally az
well as working serious hardship upon
individual citizens, farmers, industries
and businesses.
One important feature of the bill,
which is arousing most vigorous con.
domination Of the proposed act by citi.
Gems OF all classes. Is the creation of 3
new state department to be known
as the State Board of Forestry and
which commission would be given such
broad powers and privileges as to make
1t at once one Of the most potentially
powerful political machines that ever
has been foisted upon the people Of
any state, in the opinion of those who
have studied the measure.
Throughout Mississippi in the last
fes years there has been widely ex-
pr seed and vibrant clamor against
CT ting new state departments and
eT4ing heavier expenses to be borne
b.. The already heavily burdened tax
payers. But these are some of the
things that would be accomplished un-
der the proposed new forestry act.
The proposed bill would create big
state forestry commission with virtual
ly unlim.te powers. The commission
would have authority to select the
chief administrator of the act, tho
State Force er. his assistants and en-
ployes, or forestry "wardens," who
could be appointed without any limit rs
to number needs or qualifications
oiher thar 10 desires. whims and pur
poses of the forestry board. Also the
commission would have sole and un
disputed power to fix the salaries and
expenses. allowances of the officials
and employees in the forestry depart
ment. Theee officials and employees
could be removed only for cause and
would be virtually perpetual body, or
ssmachine.'
Under the proposed act, the forestry
commission is given legislative powers
a. well as administrative, it being spe-
officially stated that the rules and reg
ulations of the commission" shall have
the force and effect of law after the
expiration OF so days, unless it can be
shown that an emergency exists by
which the public interest is seriously
endangered, when the specific rule OF
regulation involved shall, by public no
tice, be made Immediately effective.
The forsetry commission would no,
be amenable even to the state courts
with respect to its orders, rules OF
regulations, however unjust or burden
some the commissions orders Nigh
be. The courts may only suspend the
operation Of any order or regulatici
for such time, not exceeding 60 days
rs may be necessary to grant publ,
hearing to any person aggrieved there
by"
But after such suspension of the OF
der, the decision of the commission
will be final in the matter and in thu
opinion OF competent lawyers, the com
mission could impose any injustice o
burden 1t desired without hindranc
+ from the courts.
The act also specifically gives to tn
state forester, his assistants and wal
dens,' full police powers in all matter
relating to or connected with. the fol-
ests and the scope of such grant 0
power under provisions OF the propos
Cd law would be decidedly broad.
In addition to creating this forestr
commission and giving it administrt
awe, legislative and police powers an
finality of decision in matters affeci
ing the forests and it's own order:
rules and regulations, the act also Pts
vides for the leyynig and collection O
license. or severance tax of ten c n
per thousand feet OF stumpage, on al
timber cut, said tax to be paid 30 day
after the severance And further, til
! bin would levy severance tax O
each person, corporation or assoc,atic
engaged in the busiu6ss.of 'Eeeoverin
) natural resoiirceG~ from thess0il Qr w
ter, including all forms Of turpentin
: and other forest produetss:@ minsra.
such as oil, gas. sulphur, salt coal an
ores: also marble. stone, gravel. san
AsheIls and other natural deposits
!. which tax shall be collected qu4rterl,
y And ali The money collectc1 iroi
o1