Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1922-01-19

rials necessary in home building and
OF course, such taxes would likely b.
handed ON down to the consumer IN
Increased prices for such raaterials.
The act also It is declared, would
cripple business and industry IN the
state. Prominent lumbermen have as.
serted that IL certain provisions ef thu
bill were enacted into law II would
result in the probable temporary clos
ling down OF many sawmills in Mis6is-
sippi, throwing hundreds OF men out
Of employment until readjustnents n
their business could be made. The
provisions Of the bill with respect to
requirements ON the part OF lumber
men for protection against forest fires,
reforestation, cutting Of timber, for
bidding use OF skidders and other
means and methods used In the best
accepted standards OF numbering
throughout the country, 1t is said,
would make it impossible for the saw.
mills to operate
Some Of the requirements demanded
in numbering are specifically set forth
In the bill and are considered unuE
ually drastic, but the entire control Of
that industry under the proposed bill
would be placed absolutely at the dis
erection, whims or motives OF the for
estry commission and its officials and
wardens, and the commission could
impose whatever restrictions or rules
or expense 1t desired and its decision
would be final.
Seriously Gripping the operations OF
sawmills, leading merchants argue,
would inevitably result in putting
many merchants in great number OF
communities out OF business, as we'll
as throwing thousands Of wage-earnera
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 con
tingency should give the people serious
concern.
Still more far-reaching in its effects,
according to those who have examined
the measure, the bill would work 4
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 ~
to cutting, clearing away the debris OF
trees and other things would apply to
all private owners OF trees or groves.
Many small farmer might be 70
quired, under the act 20 hire fire p
troll for his grove Of trees out Of sight
Of his home.
Heavy expense would be entailed
upon all railroads by the bill, both
common carriers and private logging
roads being affected and in addition
the act would make II possible for the
forestry commission and its wardens
to institute system Of petty annoy
ance and harasament upon great
proportion OF the citizens OF the state
that would lead to q deplorable condL
tion Of affairs.
A few years ago there was q pro
posal to create in Mississippi State
Fish and Game Commission with q
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 it. The forestry bill now I'M
der consideration is declared to be 2
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 a small clique and to harass and
annoy reputable, Eaw-abiding citizens
in the legitimate pursuit of their bust
ness. Judging from the growing sem
proposed forestry bill it, too, will be
relegated to the tall timber"
Regarding forestry legislation by
any of the states at this time, 1t 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 10 act for
most excellent reasons. There are
now pending before the national House
and Senate in Washington. number
of national forestry bills. an important
feature of all Of which is 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 8, when it is hoped 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.