New Britain herald., 1925-03-11
FOREST WEEK IS
 URGED BY GOVT.
Presidents Proclamation Asks
 Public to Observe It
The Associated Press.

.g The Associated Press,
 Washing, March l,--president Coolidge in q proclamation today nalled upon the state governors 10 uopcrale in observance Of the week ,r April g7-M0y as American for s week. and recommended that ,urreNrr possible Arbor Day be DoJraled within that week.
 American forest week will replace he period heretofore designated as ornsl protection week and it's ob- ,wance will be directed hy na- lonal citizens committee headed by ounrr Governor Frank o. Iowden, If Illinois. The committee is 10 in- dude loo representatives Of national organizations which are being en- listed m an cf(or, 10 make obsery- JUco nation-Nide.
 In his proclamation tho president urged all patriotic citizens 10 mite m the common task Of forest conser~ aaton and renewal. "The forests of the future must he started to- day." hn said. "Our children are dependent on our course We are bound hy solemn obligation from which no evasion and no subtorfuge will relieve us"
 The proclamation follows:
 "ln proclaiming American forest week. I desire 10 bring 10 the atten- lion O. all our people the danger that comes from the neglect Of our forests
 Tor several years the nation has observed forest protection week. Ii IS fitting that this observance be en- argnd. We have too freely spent the rich and magnificent gift that nature bestowed on us. In our eag- erness 10 use that gift we have stripped our forests: we have per uitted fires to lay waste and deyour them; We have all too often destroy rI the young growth and the seed rom which new forests might spring. And though we already feel the first grip of timber shortage We have barely begun to save and re store.
 "Wo have passed the pioneer stage and are no longer eXcusable for continuing this unWise dissipation of great resource. To the nation it means the lack of an elemental necessity and the waste Of keeping i He or only partly productive nearly oUc-fourth of our soil. To our for cst-using industries it means un- stable investments, the depletion of forest capital the disbanding of es- ;ablishcd enterprises, and the decline Of ono Of our most important indus trial groups.
 Our forests ought 10 be put 10 work and kept at work. l do not minimize the obstacles that have to he met, nor the difficulty of chang ing old ideas and practices. We must all put our hands 10 this con- mon task. It is not enough that the federal, state and local govern ments take the lead. There must be d change in our national attitude. Our industries our land owners, our farmers. all OUT citizens must learn 10 treat our forests as crops, to be used but also to he renewed. We must learn 10 tend our woodlands as carefully as we tend our farms.
 "Lct us apply to this creative tasi; the boundless energy and skill We have so long spent in harvesting the free gifts of nature. The forests Of the future must be started today. Our children are dependent on our course. We are bound by a solemn obligation from which no evasion and no subterfugc will relieve us, Unless We fulfill our sacred responsi- bility to unborn generations, unless we use with gratitude and with re- straint the generous and kindly gifts of Divine Providence. We shall prove ourselves unworthy guardians of q heritage We hold in trust.
 Now, therefore, l, Calvin Cool idge. president of the United States. do recommend 10 the governors Of Inc various states 10 designate and set apart the week Of April 27-Nlay 2. inclusive, t9g5, as American for rst week. and. wherever practicable and not in conflict with state law or accepted customs, 10 celebrate Nrbor Day within that week. And | urge public officials, public ahI business associations, industrial lead ITS. forest owners, editors, educa- ors and all patriotic citizens to unite in the common task of forest ,ore,r,.7tfor,j and rn,lcVa1
 Tn witness whereof ] have here unto SCI my hand and caused tho Soal Of tro Tnitcd States 10 De af- fixed.
 "Uone s' tho city of Washington 'ms twen.y-hrst day of February, in The year c5 Our Lord one thousand nine lur4re1 and twenty-five. and of the Indorendcnce of the United States of America the one hundred and fortv-nin'h,
 (Sigredl
 'cALVIN COOLIDGE"