Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-27
FOREST WEEK SET
\ FOR APRIL 22-28
President Calls on Nation to
Preserve Timber as Aid
to Prosperity.

nv The Associated Press.
The period from April 22-2s was set
apart today III a proclamation by Presi-
dent Coolidge for Nationwide obserr-
ance OF American Forest week by pub
lie discussion Of our forests and OF
what must be done 10 safeguard and
restore them"
The President emphasized particular
larlv the need for supervising the forest
fire evil, and pointed ont the benefits
that will accrue from making the forest
lands Of the United States fully pro-
cucljve Of continuous timber crops,
The text Of the proclamation follows:
For several years q special week has
been set apart for public discussion OF
our forests and Of what must be done
10 safeguard and restore them. Among
the AGENCIES making for progress in this
direction, American Forest week has
proved its usefulness. and I am glad to
proclaim it again and 10 announce that
Canada is again concurrently observing
a similar week.
Fire Protection.
The rehabilitation Of our forests de-
r1ands. first Of all. that the forest fire
evil be suppressed. Many Of our for
e<:ed States. with the cooperation OF
cumberland owners, have undertaken
organized protection against forest
fires, and III recent wears. under the
Clarke-McNarv law. the Federal Gov
eminent has given its support TO the
movement. This great cooperative en-
terprise must be extended and strength
ere6 until every forested county in the
United states is Safeguarded against
forest fires.
But We arc still far from the goal
Of complete protection. Every year. on
the average. $4,000 fires scourge our
Woodlands. steadily undermining their
vitality. For this bad situation the
blame falls equally on us all, Public
agencies rarely provide adequate pro,
lection against fire. the tlmberland
owner is too t!ten Indifferent to his
property, the forest worker is too often
recIectful Of the future forest: the
average citizen is TOO often careless
with fire in the woods We must all
gain such respect for the forest that
tts destruction through Indifference or
carelessncss shall be unthinkable.
We cannot permanently abuse our
forests with inlpunity. The soil Is the
ultimate source Of all our wealth and
OF life itself One-fourth Of our Amer
lean soil is best suited for forests. Much
Of this land is already idle. More of
Il IS being made idle by destructive
permit our forest land 20 lie fallow and
useless any more than we can permit
our farms and factories to lie idle.
Aid to Nation.
TO make our vast empire of forest
land fully productive of continuous
crops OF timber will have momentous
consequences in our national life. 1t
will give agriculture the advantage Of
new valuable crop. Il will afford per-
ranent employment 70 millions Of men
n the forest industries It will provide
raw materials for many industries. 1t
will furnish traffic for our railroads. 1t
will maintain foreign and domestic COM
n1erce. 1t will restore Our forests as
corserves OF soil and water, and as
eivers Of health and pleasure to our
people.
We already have made beginning
In forest renewal. but the task Is
stupenGous. and We should permit no
satisfaction over what has been done
20 bind us TO the magnitude Of what
remains 10 be done.
Now, therefore, I. Calvin Coolidge.
President Of the United States Of
America, DO hereby designate and set
aside as American Forest week the
weeK beginning April % and ending
April %, In this year Of 1923. I recon-
mend TO the governors OF the various
States that they also designate this
week for special observance by all our
people; and that where practicable and
not in conflict with law or custom,
Arbor day be observed during the course
o. the same week. urge that during
that week all citizens and appropriate
Observation-Disclosures public officials,
legislators, business organizations, edu-
Gators. editors, clergymen. landowners
ard others-give thought to the
preservation and wise use of Our forests
% the end that energetic forest policies
VII be adcnfRd In AL communities :"