, 1922-01-12

Secretary OF
c. Wallace. in his annual report. just
published. outlines what has been
done by his Department since the
National Forests were placed i'll its
charge by Act of Congress in 1905.
Until recent years" he says. the
forests of the United States were
looked upon as the gift of a bene-
ficient Creator. ready prepared for
the harvest, for the profit of those
individual citizens to whom they
were most freely parceled out by a
liberal Government. Only since the
date named has there been a definite
national forest policy"
After pointing out that but 1877
100000 acres out of an original for
est area of more than 500 900 900
acres now remains in virgin forest.
the Secretary continues:
THE cutting of these virgin for
ests was done wastefully inc with
little thought of growing a second
crop of timber. 1t was a question Of
immediate profit. not future need.
This has resulted in a staggering
loss in timber production, and has
imperiled our future supply of wood.
More than this. in ~<lountain areas
the evil extends to soil erosion
steadily increasing in volume and de
structiveness. and Irregularities in
stream flow ranging from excessive
floods to excessive periods of low
water. The denudutiOn of mountain
lands under private misuse has much
to do with our difficulties in main
tanning the navigability of streams
and preserving regular sources of
water supply urgently needed for il
rigatiOn.'
The objects of the present forest
policy are stated to be:
First. The administration of the
National Forests in such a way as to
promote the greatest possible utiliza-
ton for all purposes, and at the same
time the greatest possible growth of
timber. while the National For,
ests are being administered as ma
tional property. the we'll being OF
local communities. which are largely
agricultural in character, is a primary
consideration
Second. The extension of the Ma,
tional Forests through the purchase
Of lands which will protect the water
sheds of nayigable streams. This
policy represents today the mos
striking application Of public fore
1 h " "AAN
Of the United States"
Third. Scientific research to fine
out the cheapest and best methods o
growing the maximum timber crops
How to use forest products more eff
fectively and with least waste, ant
how to bring into adjustment pro
duction and future needs through
sound public forest policy.
Fourth. Dissemination OF infor
nation. and cooperation with states
timber land owners, and farmers II
the protection and management o
:. public and privately owned forests
and the 200. 900 900 acres OF farm
woodlands whose products now ran
= in value as one OF the first three o
four principal farm crops OF tn
country. 1.-THE yield Of these farr
, woodlots." says the Secretary, Ca
= be immensely increased by bette
methods"
. Relationship Of Forest Service Wit
Other Agricultural Department
Bureaus
"The basic function Of the Fore
Service" say the Secretary, "is
bring about the utilization 'primari1
i for timber growing and incidental
for a wide range OF other purpose
of the one-fourth of the land area
the United States best adapted
this purpose in the same way tn
other units in the Department
Agriculture attempt to bring abol