Evening star., 1928-04-24
FOREST
DEPLETION BY FIRE
Canadian Minister Pleads for
Preservation of Amer
ica's Timber.

Warning that the forests Of North
America are in serious danger Of deple-
ton within the next 25 or 30 wears,
chiefly because OF forest fires. Charles
Stewart, Canadian Minister OF the IN
5eriOr, last night urged DEVELOPMENT Of
4 forest consciousness" among people
If the United States and Canada. 80
that the individual will feel sense Of
personal indignation every time he
reads Of forest fire."
Mr.. Stewart's address vas made be-
fore a meeting arranged by the Ameri-
ean Forestry Association in the audi
toriIm Of the United States Chamber Of
Commerce. The Canadian cabinet off,
cial was one Of the exchange speak
ers" who last night addressed gather
ings in several American and Canadian
cities, inaugurating the concurrent cele-
bration Of American and Canadian
Forest weeks. Immediately prior TO his
address, Mr.. Stewart had broadcast Gov.
Gen. Willingdon's Forest week procla-
nation, following President Coolidge's
reading OF his own proclamation.
Fire Losses Cited.
After picturing the seven main forest
regions Of Canada, Mr.. Stewart pointed
out that unfortunately. man. through
the medium Of fire. has marred the pic
ttre."
More than five times the quantity
Of timber consumed for useful pur-
poses has been destroyed by fire." ne
continued. We must develop a public
demand that every one who starts a
forest fire be brought to account"
The Canadian Minister drew atten-
ton to the similarity between the gen.
eral forestry problems in Canada and
the United States. Owing TO the differ
ence in land tenure, the United States
has gone farther in Federal assistance
in the solution Of forestry problems
than Canada, ne stated
Aside from the provision Of raw ma
terials. Mr. Stewart stressed Importance
OF forest conservation in Canada in the
maintenance Of stream flow conditions.
so fundamental to water-power develop
ment.
Haven for Big Game.
Minister Stewart pointed out that
the great forests Of Northern Canada
constitute the last breeding ground OF
big game and fur bearing animals on
this continent.
Vincent Massey. Canadian Minister
to the United States, presented Mr..
Stewart to the audience. Secretary Of
Agriculture Jardine presided. Forestry
and Government officials attending the
meeting included: Secretary Of Interior
Work, Stephen Mather, director of the
National Park Service: Robert Y Stuart.
incoming chief Of the Forest Service;
Ovid NJ. Butler, secretary Of the Amer
ican Forestry Association; John JOY
EdSon, Robert Brookings. conservation
director OF the United States Chamber
OF Commerce; Wilson Crompton. man.
ager OF the National Lumber Manufac-
turerS' Association; DR.. John c. Mer-
riarn OF the Carnegie Institute OF Wash
lngton, and Merchant Mahoney and
Laurent Beaudry Of the Canadian leza-
ton staff.
Yesterday Mr.. Stewart was the vusSt
at luncheon in the National PrssS
Cub. where he also spoke on Canada
Iofess problems. He returned to Can
ada this morning.
President Radios Proclamation.
In his radio address. which was car
ried over % broadcaSting stations PRES
ident Coolidge read the proclamation ne
issued February q, warning that awe
cannot permanently abuse cur forests
With impunity"
The soil Is the ultimate source OF
an our wealth and OF life itself" said
tne president. ''One-fourth OF cur
american soil is best suited for forests
Much OF this land Is already idle. More
OF 1t Is being made idle BY destructive
logging and fire. Yet We cannot safely
permit our forest land to lie faIlow and
useless any more than we can permit
cur farms and factories 70 lie idle"