, 1923-03-08
Cooperation Between Forest
Users and the Forest Service

and use of the forests, will increase
rather than diminish the production of
live stock and bring the industry to a
state commensurate with the best. use
of the lands and resources in the
mountain country.
Contrary, then, to the assertion
made by q few disappointed applicants
for grazing privileges, the Forest Ser
vice has no intention of crippling the
live stock industry of the west or any
of its legitimate branches. That in
dustry is being rendered and will con-
tinue to be rendered every assistance
consistent with the interests of con-
s%ervation and the protection ~ the
forests and watersheds. Under the old
system of unrestricted use of the pub-
lie range and unrestricted competition.
there was u gradual decrease in pro-
ductiveness on acount of ov~erstocking.
The fact that many of the public II
es outside the national forests are still
abused only emphasizes the Importance
of maintaining the pastures within the
forests in the highest possible state of
productiveness.
And so there are certain underlying
principles in the administration of the
national forests which it is well for us
to keep in mind in considering our graz
ing problems. Briefly stated, the ma
tional forests are for use. Not, how
ever. the use which consumes both in
terest and principal, or both coupon
and bond, but that which leaves the
principal or the bond itself intact. |
Nor is it "A use which sets at naught |
Legitimate established local. industry or
bona fide new developments. In other !
words, we do not treat the products or
potential of the forests as
mines, but as crops to be annually or
periodically harvested nor do we seek
to ignore local interests and needs.
Our protective systems, trail and road
programs, and all the development and
uses of the forests. endeavOr to carry
out this idea. Perhaps the ideal isn't
always perfectly realized, but hat is
the goah-the big principle underlying |
both the establishment and admins
tration of the fOreStS-a continual
source Of benefit and revenue to local
communities and to the general public
the greatest good to the greatest
number in the long run.
You will see to it that the water,
wood and forage of the forests are
conserved and carefully used for the
benefit of the ~home-builder, first of all,
upon whom depends the best perma-
nent use of lands and resources alike
said the Secretary OF Agriculture in
his instructions to the Forester when
the responsibility of administering
these important national
was placed in his hands on February
l, years ago. You have per-
maps heard these things so often that
they may seem trite OF worn and
th%readbarc, but those of US who have
to do with the immediate problems of
administration endeuvor to keep these
principles before us. We need perhaps
continually to be reminded of this pub
lie policy. How perfectly the trust is
being kept you present and those who
come after you will be the judges.
And 50 we have the national forests
some 100 millions of acres in this
western CONTRIBUTIONS watchword is
use, their highest use and their eco
nomic uses are by no means the least
of them.
We have also the national parks ere
ated III the most outstanding or super
iative scenic sections of the mt
in (which all uses are subordinated TO
the recreational use and no one who
has the opportunity to visit them, as |
had this past season to visit the great
Yellowstone National Park, can be hon
est with hims If II say that the rec
reationai use of hundreds of thousands
OF our people, the human use, of these
nature wonder areas should ever be
subordinated TO the so-called economic
uses. The Yellowstone has stood the
"rccreattonal test of two generations
and Its benefits to humanity in health
ana inspiration and increased human
efficiency are becoming national AS
well as worldwide. Nature in these
parks is kept intact and ut its best.
ana generations yet unborn are going
10 g the benefits or the wisdtm and
tiineliness of their establishment.
lust wanted to say this word in pass
ing and in personal appreciation of the
national park idea, after having re
Gently visited perhaps the greatest one
In this or In any other country. And
so the national parks created in and
confined to these superlative scenic
areas have their important places I'm
the llie OF our people. Likewise, the
national forests, which have n greater
diversity of uses, including recreation
nave their place, and should be held
ana employed as one of the great assets |
of the Nation.
= 1t Is always easy to generalize I'm
the statement or expression of public
principles and policies. Our candi-
dates for office can %enunciate and are
even now enunciating the most perfect
principles of democracy and local gov
crnment and can outline, even now
are outlining. the most beautiful pro-
grams of intended accomplishment. If
the radios could catch and send forth
again from the housetops just now the
thought and mind and avowed pur-
poses of this comparatively limited por-
ton of our poulace, surely those of us
for whon it is intended would acclaim
with one accord that the millennium has
dawncd. The ideals In times like