, 1925-04-30
PROCLAMATION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

In proclaiming American Forest
Week, l desire to bring to- the atten-
ton of all our people the danger
that m from the neglect of our
forests.
Fol- several years the Nation has
observed Forest Protection Week. 1t
is fitting that this observance be en-
larged. We have too freely spent
the rich II magnificent gift hat
nature bestowed on us. In our Gag
erness to use hat gift we a strip
ped our forests; we nave permitted
fires to lay waste and devour them;
we have all too often destroyed the
young growth and the seed from
which new forests might spring. And
though we already feel the first grip
of timber shortage, we have barely
begun to save and restore.
We have passed the pioneer stage
n are no longer eXcusable for o
~tinuing this unwise dissipation of a
great To the nation it
means the lack of an elemental ne
cessity and the waste of keeping die
or only partly productive nearly one
fourth of our soil. To our forest
using industries it means unstable in
vestments, the depletion of forest
capital, the disbanding of establish
ed enterprises, and the decline of one
of our most important industrial
groups.
Our forests ought to be put to work
and kept at work. l do not minimize
the obstacles that have been met, nor
the difficulty of changing old ideas
and practices. We must all put our
hands to this common task. 1t is not
enough that the Federal, State, and
local governments take the lead.
There must be a change in our ma
tional attitude. Our industries, our
landowners, our farmers, all our cit
liens must learn to treat our for
ests as crops, to be used but also to
be renewed. We must learn to- tend
our woodlands as carefully as we
tend our farms.
Let us apply to this creative task
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 obliga-
ton from which no evasion and no
subterfuge will relieve us. Unless
we fulfill sacred responsibility to
unborn generations unless we use
with gratitude and with restraint the
generous and kindly gifts of Devine
Providence, we shall prove ourselves
unworthy guardians of a heritage we
hold in trust.
Now, Therefore, |. Calvin Coolidge,
President of the United States, 10
recommend to the Governors of the
various States to designate and set
apart the week of April 27-May 3
inclusive, 1925, as American Forest
Week. wherever practicable and not
in conflict with State law or accept
ed customs, to celebrate Arbar Day
within that week. And | urge public
officials. public and business assoc
i~ations. industrial leaders. forest
owners, editors, educators, II all
patriotic citizens to unite in the com
mon task of forest conservation and
renewal.
In witness whereof, | have here
unto set my hand and caused the
seal of the United States to be af-
fixed.
Done at the City of Washington
this twenty-first day of February, in
the year of u Lord one thousand
nine hundred and twenty-five, and
OF the independence of the United
States of America the one hundred
and forty-ninth.
(Signed) Calvin Coolidge.
BY the President:
Charles Il. Hughes.
Secretary of State.