, 1923-04-05

that a country without trees Is "baldheaded and
boneheaded' and it is high time that they got busy
on the nations forestry problem.
President Harding Is strong in his belief that n
national forest policy is necessary. as is shown by
his letter to Representative John D.. Clarke of New
York, chairman of the agricultural committee or
the house, which held extensive hearings, had "A bill
drafted and sent 1t to him for an expression of his
views.
The Presidents letter says in part:
1.-THE federal government has made fine progress
In its scheme of forest reserves, the development
of methods of forest protection against fire and In
sect and plant pests, in promoting reforestation
and methods of timber conservation, and in its re-
search looking toward improved methods of timber
utilization. Some of the states have formulated
state programs along the same general lines and OF
recent years especially there has been a steadily
growing interest on the part of private owners of
forest lands. / am very glad. therefore, that the
committee on agriculture feels that we have come
to Il time when definite provision should be made
for larger cooperation between the federal govern
ment, the states and the private owners, with n
view to working out n national policy covering the
growth. protection, conservation and use of timber.
when we remember that substantially one
fourth Of the national area is forest land or poten-
tial forest land Of little or no value save for timber
production, the need Of such policy becomes appar-
rnt. Already we have consumed or destroyed six
ty per cent OF our original timber wealth, and we
are now using timber at n rate four times as fast
ms we are growing II. Millions of acres which were
once covered with fine forests and which are suit
able only for the growing OF timber are now en-
tirely barren. Prosperous communities built up
while these virgin forests were being harvested
have disappeared, transportation lines have been
torn up, and social and industrial decay has fol-
lowed. The growing OF timber is the most prncti-
enl use TO which these lands can be put. and popu-
lntion and industry Of these regions may be re-
stored only by restoring the forests. To this end
both federal and state governments may well lend
very proper encouragement.
"As we have consumed our forest growth near
est to the centers OF population and industry II has
become necessary to ship the timber needed for
constantly increasing distances at steadily growing
transportation cost and Inconvenience and with
consequent increases in the price Of lumber. This
has added to our difficulty In meeting the housing
problem and is bound TO mean lower standards OF
housing and less adequate farm improvements.
These are vital matters, striking directly at our
sources of national strength. Regrowth OF our for
estR on cut.oyer lands which are most suitable for
that purpose In the more populous portions of the
United States is therefore highly desirable.
at is interesting to note that probably 10000
900 acres of forest land, or nearly one-third Of such
land In the country, is owned In small parcels by
farmers. 1t Is desirable and proper that
federal and state governments give the maximum