The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-03-09

in any adequate way II things are
simply left to take their own course.
Protection of forest areas from fire
is not yet one half adequate. The tax
alton of forest lands is still largely
unadapted to the time requirements
of timber culture: and in many in
stances is a positive deterrent to the
practice of forestry. Responsibility
for meeting these requirements of the
situation rests largely with the public.
Closer Utilization Promotes Timber
Growing.
Closer utilization of timber will
make forest crops more valuable and
hence encourage their production. All
that can be accomplished in this field
will be a powerful stimulus to forest
perpetuation. While this is largely an
industrial problem, its solution can be
materially aided by the research Of
public agencies and by the promotion
of more effective utilization through
such admirable work as that of the
National Committee on Wood Utiliza
ton
Responsibility of Forest Industries
for Timber Growing.
Responsibility also rests, In my
Judgment, upon forest industries and
land owners to progressively extend
timber growing as part of their opera
tons. There is an obligation for in
dustrial leadership and foresight In
working out this national economic
problem. The future Of our forest
rests largely with the commercial in
terests which own and convert them.
Success in solving our forest problems
rests primarily upon the rate and de-
gree to which forestry is incorporated
in industrial timberland management.
Gratifying progress Is now taking
place in this direction in many in
stances While we cannot ask the
private forest owners of the United
States to undertake a business course
that is economically unSound, we may
rightfully look to them to thoroughly
study the business possibilities offered
by reforestation and to give their
earnest support to industrial as well
as public developments of this nature.
It is an essential part of the effort
now being made by the lumber in
dustry to create greater market sta
bility and encourage the use Of wood
as commodity permanently available
to the American consumer.
Right Use of Timber Perpetuates
the Supply.
Unlike many of our natural re-
sources timber can renew itself. Its
right use does not exhaust the sup
ply, but perpetuates 1t. In the long
run, indeed, right use increases the
supply, for it speeds up growth. The
lumber and other forest industries
can and should be perpetual In the
past they have receded before the
pillow and the ak, and have thus often
been shifting or temporary. But they
are in no sense dying industries; and
with aggressive reforestation and clos
er use of raw material, they can not
only be made permanent but will yield
greater output than at present.
Your letter refers to the strong pub
lie sentiment for forest preservation
as an element of outdoor beauty and
recreation. I am thorough believer
in the preservation of beautiful and
distinctive forests for public enjoy
ment as parks or recreation areas.
This obviously should be one of the
functions of public ownership, Fed
eral, State, or municipal, but the total
area solely thus preserved for its
scenic beauty would at the outside in
clude but small fraction of the 470
million acres of forest land.
The bulk of our forest land must
be devoted to commercial timber
growing Here the public interest in
outdoor beauty and recreation will be
served by precisely the same develop
ment which serves the economic
needs of the country. This is evident
today in many portions of New Eng
land as well as elsewhere. General
reforestation, with the harvesting of
timber under methods that insure
continuous growth, will preserve and
in many cases restore the attractive
ness Of rural landscapes, the native