Evening star., 1928-05-27

ANN@N
is the privilege available to every one
and not to a limited class, such as
Government employees, or as the Iocular
may suggest, residents Of Federal
prisons. 1t is possible for every man,
woman and child in the United States
to have this kind of vacation on ac-
count of the policy in regard to the
national forests. which is 70 make them
useful in every possible way to every
one.
The Government obtained these
tracts either by setting them aside from
land in the public domain or by pur-
chasing them, because they, like iron.
coal, oil and water power, are con-
sidered natural resources, They nave
however, one characteristic Whlch the
others lack Besides being reserve
for the future and source OF income
for the present, the national forests
have recreational value. Their recrea-
tionaI possibilities are unlimited and
are available not only to neighboring
residents, but to all who care to take
advantage of them.
Because of the popularity OF the
woods as vacation spots-seVerai mil
lions of health and recreation seekers
have visited them-~difierent KINDS OF
resorts have developed.
Real campers who crave the lone
someness of isolated spots may take
advantage of the excellent trails and
and a place sufficiently far away from
civilization to afford absolute privacy.
Those who want to go back to nature
within hailing distance Of nelghnors
may go 70 some OF the oetter known
camping sites where others with similar
tastes have pitched their tents or nave
used the log shelters.
some yacationists become attached To
a certain place and would like 10 re-
turn TO IL year after year. For these,
nernits are issued which allow the
building of Summer homes. by means
of "special-uSes permits, hotels, asso"
Citations and companies, as well as M
diyIduals, may secure land Tor the efec-
tion OF buildings for recTeational pur-
poses, ,,~.,4
for camping, but not usually. AS a
cordial host, Uncle Sam permits tne
camper to choose q camping site whlcn
suits him, use dead wood Tor MS ilte
and forage for hts camp stock, Forests
well stocked with game, even Dig eaiils'
and streams and lakes filled Win hsfi
await him :. -,
tain a clean camp and leave cleai'
camp site.
Uncle Sam Generous Landlord.
It cannot be said that Uncle Sam
Is grasping landlord any more than
he can be accused OF being q mercenafy
host for the rents charged for sites
obtained under permits are very small
they range from $5 10 $50, accordins
to location Usually permits are grantee
| for periods OF B 10 10 years WIFI
| the privilege of renewal When con.
siderable outlay In buildings IL involved
| they may be Issued for longer time,
but never more than so years per-
nit for a IS location Is usually granted
| for an indefinite period
TO avoid overcrowding. as wen as to
| accommodate all who may wish tneni'
! home sites are ordinarily an acre or
less In rare instances they may amouh'
| 10 FIVE acres. ,s
Those who are interested are advised
by the Forest Service that they can
write either TO the nearest forest once
| for information or 10 the main once
| In Washington. They are urged 10 90
personally TO examine the land they
| wish To rent and are required to apply
| for Il in writing, describing the loea-
| tion, the use to which Il VIII be pu'
and the estimated cost OF intended im'
| provements
The Forest Service has found that
| In popular sections where campers %
IN large numbers IL " well for tht
| Government to maintain recreation
areas. Proper sanitation can be pro-
vided and methods OF fire preVentlot
enforced. To this end, as funds permit
| pt ta 6rHnInEHH
| log shelters have been butt,
In some cases concessions have beer
granted TO individuals who maintain
camping quarters which vary IN style
from those of the rolgh~and- ready type
| to excellent hotels There II no fekpa'
| ton of the prices charged by these
concerns, since 10 II possible for vaen
tlnniats to select quarters which sutl
their means and tastes, whether free
camping sites or modern hostelfles
tecrcationaI Centers Numerous IN East
Because 1t Is The purpose Of the Gov
ernment 20 extend the advantages oi
the national forests 10 the greatest
number Of people, It has become neees
sary to restrict the number ot home
camping sites IN certain sections, II
ths east and Ia the South where thi
OOyeTnment~oWned woods are neither
40 large nor 80 numerous, public ant
aemi~pnbliG recreatlunai centers occupy
the areas which might have been de.
sired by individuals for Summer homes
In this way more people can enjoy The
advantages ut vacations In tho woods
No permits for home sites ara grantee
In the White Mountain Foreat II
Maine and New Hampshire and the
Wichita III Oklahoma,
The national furoata, like an oak
lreW from a small acorn planted by tht
Department of Aapimlhha IN tuld
when an aren't VISA appointed 10 study
forest conditions IN this country, Ilatel