Evening star., 1932-01-31
FOREST HOLDINGS
INCREASED BY us.
Department of Agriculture
Reports S1,943,736 Was
Spent Last Year.

1
the United States Government A re-
cent report Of the Department of Agri-
culture announces that a total Of ST.
943,736 was spent for the purchase Of
tracts approved by the National Forest
Reservation Commission. These &C
QUESTIONS are located in l9 Eastern,
Southern and North-Central States.
The report explains that the develop
ment of the National Forest Reserve is
| carried on under the Weeks law of
1911. In the 90 years during which
this legislation has been in force a net
area OF 4,675,020 acres has been pur-
chased.
Follow Long Term Program.
The commission at present is follow
ing lOng-term program adopted in
,, 1928 Under this program progress has
been made in consolidating and extend
ing Federal forest holdings at the head
waters of navlgable streams to regulate
streamf1oW and prevent floods. Other
ObjectiveS include aid in timber produc-
tlon and demonstration of scientific for
est practice.
Changes in land economy during the
past five years, the commission saws.
have tended to minimize rather than
to enhance the probability or practical
blllty OF private management of large
areas Of forest land, and recent econo-
mic changes apparently have cores
pondlngly reduced the financial ability
OF any but the WeaIthieSt States to
assume responsibility for the conStruc-
tive management of the vast areas of
forest and watershed land within their
borders.
The situation is further complicated
by the evident trend of Submarginal
land from uneconomic farm-crop pro-
duction to either idle deterioration or
timber production The Commission
recommends constructive considera-
ton" Of the problem.
Government Holds IS Per Cent.
Altogether, the report suggests, IS
$1,000 acres are included in the estab-
lished purchase units, of which 1903 678
acres are now under Government con-
trcl. Of this area. 2186,972 acres were
reserved from the public domain: 11,433
acres were transferred from the Treas
ury Department, and 2l5,253 acres
were acquired in exchange for National
forest stumpage. The Government now
holds 45 per cent of the total acreage
Of the purchase units.
Lie uIGlHdle purchase OF an aQdl~
tional Al per cent Of the land within
these units is contemplated under
the 1928 program. The report
states: The social and economic i'm
pOrtance Of this activity of the Federal
Government now receives quite general
recognition. and the desira ability of
carrying the program to fruition as
rapidly as the Governments financial
situation will allow seems evident"
Small Tracts Approved.
A number of small tracts, of about
100 acres or less, were approved for
purchase by the commission last year
with view to aiding owners who were
urgently in need Of financial assistance
because Of local economic and unem-
ployment conditions. In December last
82,575 acres were approved for pur-
chase as a detail of this policy.
The commission finds that owners are
offering for sale for national forest pur-
poses a larger area than available Fed
eral funds can purchase
The report commendS continuation
Of the regional campaign of education
fer the prevention of forest fires.
Secretary of War Hurley is chairman
Of the commission. Other members are
Secretary Of the Interior Wilbur. Secre-
tary of Agriculture Hyde, Senator
KeyeS of New Hampshire, Senator
Harris Of Georgia, Representative Haw-
ley of oregon and Representative Doxey
Of Mississippi. John E. Burch is secre-
tary j. w. F.