The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-03-29
Foreign Representative
SMALL SPENCER. BREWER
(1ncorporated)
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
Plenty of Timber?


OF particular interest just now.
when President Roosevelt's proposal
to put unemployed men to work on
reforestation is before congress, is the
report of an advisory committee to
the U. S. timber conservation board
that our present timber resources are
ample, with sound management, to
provide the nations needs for forest
products indefinitely"
The apparent intent Of this pro-
nouncement Is to fix in the public
mind an idea which, in the light Of
past experience, is not true. The
woodchuck in the case is the proviso
with sound management" We have
never had it with respect to our tim
Der resources and we never will have
unless private operators are forced
to 1t.
Those who have seen great wooded
areas ruined by wasteful logging OPP
erations. leaving behind cut-over land
Of no use to anyone, know that the
conservation Of our forest resources
is . real problem. Areas which suffer
disastrous floods because the elimina-
tion of timber increases the water
run-off know 1t even better.
II this report Is intended to dts
credit the reforestation plan it should
fail. We have not now and We will
not have for many years, II ever, too
many trees in this country.
One phase of the timber industry
which is touched upon in the report,
however. bears close consideration.
The committee says:
"Values of standing timber
have been stagnant during most
Of the last decade and have sub
stantially declined during the last
five years. Private enterprise Is
carrying an excessive burden OF
forest land and timber ownership,
more than 40 years supply at the
present average rate Of cutting,
most of it subject to annual taxa
ton as general property. Great
financial pressure for timber Ii
uuidation has resulted and pro-
ducing capacities in the primary
forest products industries are ex-
cessive. Operating efficiency is
high: utilization is incomplete and
unsatisfactory. Opportunities for
economy, sterilization of industry
and employment, and diversified
ton Of products need further in
teusive study. Larger average
timber ownerShip6 will increase
the economic possibilities of sus-
tanned yield forest management
and further advance OF planned
control of forest industry opera
tions will promote the needed
closer adjustment Of current pro-
duction to current consumption"
This puts the finger rather SQUARED.
on what is wrong with the lumbe
industry from both the private AM
public viewpoints.
The financial cost of carrying tim
Der land has forced owners to cut II
II for no other reason to reduce tn
taxes. This forced activity has re
suited In over-expansion and wastefu
development. It has made no pro
vision for replacing the timber S
eliminated from the natural resource
of the country. Sustained-yield for
est management. successful IN Europ'
has never been more than drear
in America.
Development of the reforestatio
idea may change this situation.
will focus public attention upon
anew. II wasteful private practice
continue these trees will help to tax
up the slack in the future. No harr
can come from it, and 1t may do in
finite good.