Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-04-16

bility and loyalty developed. Tools and
equipment were treated with as much
care as though the men were responsible
to an employer who paid them good
wages for their work.
Now further question presents it.
self: What is the economic value of this
forestry work?"
First, of all, forestry officials point out
with emphasis, that this work is not of
the type known as made work." or tasks
, devised wholly with the idea of provid-
ing jobs Rather, they assert, it is a vast
speeding-up Of the present conservation
program.
At the same time they insist that the
forest work program is not a PROPOSE
ton of wanting to get lot of work done
cheaply, but rather to take large num-
Der of men now unemployed, build them
up physically and put them to work
at healthful outdoor tasks, and take care
of them, while at the same time they
will be accomplishing task that will
return large public benefit. Also they
feel that the plan may bring about a
greater interest in forestry and conser-
walton.
Whether this is true or not, after all,
Is of secondary Importance compared
with the preservation of our fast-waning
forest resources. When the first colon
lists came to this country from Europe
there was approximately CSC, O00, 900
acres Of foreSted land-almost one-half
of the total of 1 1887, IA $50 acres in the
United States proper, which figure in
c1udes 34000,000 acres occupied by lakes
and rivers.
Today there remains less than 12O,-
000, 900 acres of the virgin forest,
although when we count in second
growth timber and scrub timber, we still
have Az, 900 900 acres of forests But
these are being depleted faster, both by
numbering operations and by fires, faster
than they are being replaced, according
to figures of the United States Forest
Service
Therefore, it becomes of first impor-
lance that America foster its timber re-
sources with great care not only because
Of the value of the forests themselves,
but because of their vast influence ON
water resources.
Streams used for water power must
have an all-year steady flow of water.
A river that flows at flood stage for a
few rainy months and then dwindles to
a mere trickle in the dry Summer
months is of little value for power pur-
poses without an enormous dam to
store sup the flood water for use in the
dry season. It is much preferable to use
a stream having a well-forested water
shed which retains the moisture that
falls during the rainy season and grad
ually releases it during the ensuing dry
months.
THIS leads directly to another impor-
tant phase-prevention of disastrous
floods. The annual devastation caused
by our rivers which flood large areas
of fertile farmlands could be greatly re-
duced If the forests which once lined
their watersheds were replaced to con-
serve the excess rainfall. Quite logically,
too, forests have an important influence
upon climate.
Nor does the plan of forest conserve
ton embody the idea that timber re-
sources should be withdrawn from public
use. One of the first principles of scien-
tific conservation, as defined by Fred
erick W. Luening, reads:
Conserve for use! Conserve for a good
purpose! Conserve to perpetuate not
only the resources themselves, but their
useful functions!"
This principle is actively followed in
the administration of our national for
ests. These are distinctly different from