The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-07-19
THE COST OF THE
&C. G. CAMPS
BY H. c. Buckingham
District Forester

G. G. c.? 1t is generally conceded
that this relief measure has been of
tremendous value not only from the
standpoint of forestry but to the ma
ton as a whole. Two main objec-
tives were considered by the Admin
istration in introducing this meas
ure The primary thought was for
the salvation of over three hundred
thousand idle young men. The
secondary consideration was the
profitable work to which these boys
could be put on federal, state, and
private lands.
1t was with many misgivings that
foresters accepted the first recruits
and began to organize the forest
corps. Many of the boys were un-
dernourished and physically unable
to put in a days work swinging
shovel, pick, or axe. Before it was
possible 10 build roads, fire lines, or
carry out any of the projects these
boys had to be instructed in how to
work Here the local experienced
men proved their worth. The
rapidity with which the boys learned
10 use their tools was amazing.
Equally amazing was the change in
their physical condition The aver
age increase in weight for the first
period in Western Maryland was
eight pounds per man. The morale
of the camps seemed to improve &C
cordingly.
To answer the question, SIS this
tremendous expense in the renova-
ton of Americas forest resources
justified?" The answer from the
relief standpoint is Yes; from the
forestry standpoint, based ON tangi-
BILE results, No. However, we
have noted that the C. c. C. move
ment was not introduced solely with
the idea that dollar for dollar would
be returned
How much of the total cost can
we charge against the social aspect?
Certainly the manipulating has been
of inestimable value. Society has
gained if only one career of crime
has been prevented and even the
most conservative critics claim that
that side alone justifies the existence
of the camps AS foresters we. are
interested in this human viewpoint,
but since the men are turned over to
us for forest-building, it is from this
angle that we must judge the success
or failure of the program.
How much of the total cost can we
charge against improvements, the
values of which are indefinite?
Among these may be listed such pro-
jects as fire lines, telephone lines,
reduction of fire hazards, roadside
improvement work, recreational de-
velopment, and landscaping. De-
structive agencies such as fire, in
sects, floods and erosion have so long
depleted our natural resources that
very great losses have occurred. 1t
therefore seems we'll within reason
that this expenditure for the intangi-
Bile results in restoration and protec-
ton is justified.
In Western Maryland, road con-
struction costs have varied from
$500. to $4,000. per mile, including
labor at 81 per day, supervision,
transportation, and materials used.
One particular road on the head
waters of the North Branch of the
Potomac River was constructed
through an unbroken area at cost
of $2,425. per mile. For each mile
of road constructed an average of l.
ESQ acres was made accessible. The
timber on this tract is scattered and
averages only 1000 board feet per
acre. Before this road had been
constructed little thought was given
to the timber as it was considered of
doubtful value. However, since the
road has been built, the timber has
been appraised at So. per thousand,
which represents an increase in
value above construction costs of
nearly $1,000. per mile. This road
was primarily constructed to open up
the area for protection purposes and
recreational development. This ex-
ample of the wisdom of sound con-
struction has been repeated in many
camps. Roads, when built, serve
not only the original purpose but
many other allied uses, thereby add
ing value upon value.
We now have an opportunity of
building forest policy that COM
pletely reestablishes our forests.
These millions OF dollars being pour
ed into the C. C. c. in times of eco
nomic distress are being used to re-
store the birthright of every Ameri-
can citizen and will WELD rpturnS tn