The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-06-03
TO
SWELL PISCAH
FOREST FAME
Ag. Department To Pro.
mote Usefulness OF Acre
age In Its Custody
WOULD FURTHER AID
IMMEDIATE AREA
BY s. J. FULLWOOD

Showers OF blessings often
come, proving as the old adage
says lit never rains but it pours."
Western North Carolina with its
myriad and wonderful advantages
is indeed fortunate to have been
adopted by SO many different de-
partments of our national govern
ment. We are not only a neces-
sity to the balance of our coun-
try, but also a splendid luxury. AS
a source of electric power neces-
sary for the manufacturing of
nitrates, we are at the fountain
head of the rivers flowing into the
Tennessee river, and our high
peaks must be conserved from
erosion and disasterous flood
causing conditions. This is essen
tial to the war department of our
country. "
Through it's munitions and bal
listics agencies, the war depart
ment must plan to provide for the
sustained flow of the streams; and
it is paramount that our forests
be developed; that filtration of
floods. be organized to hold back
flood waters and to supply regu-
lation of flow of water from
Knoxville, Tenn, to New Orleans,
La. In this, we become neces-
sity. to the naval branch of the
war department.
To the department, of interior
we are essential for the develop
ment of minerals and raw materi.
ais in the vast area so rich IN
these deposits. And also the de-
partment of interior is charged
with the development of parks for
recreation and pleasure g.
To the army and navy, our
mountains are a source of strong
resistance in case of an invading
army, for example, the Blue Ridge
Parkway would be almost impos-
sible to be captured if invaded by
a foreign foe and would be a
great artery Of communication
from north to south, in case Of
invasion. Even in Biblical times
there was an adage, in time of
trouble flee to the mountains and
hills" '....-.
The department Of labor looks
to us to furnish raw materials
from our mines; lumber from our
forests, etc. 80
The department Of agriculture
has at last realized that the gigan-
tic task that they have been do
ing so well to conserve the for.
est for the nations welfare
through the Great Pisgah Forest
with its numerous divisions and
the Nantahala and other forests
can be turned into a recreation
and pleasure park. Also the won.
derous. work they have been do
ing the past few years is very
gratifying to them and to US
Roads, trails, parks, composites in
this vast domain have been. deve.
loped into a great rendezvous fol-
those seeking, health, happiness
and recreation.
This great forest of the depart.
ment of agriculture is very near
the center of the densely popu-
lated area of our country; readily
accessible to the north, east, south
and west, The department OF
agriculture has been modest in its
advertising and exploitation. Now
that this fair land of vast beauty,
situated in "The Land of The
Sky" nearest Heaven, is to be ad-
vertised by them for the pleasure
and enjoyment of weary, tired
humanity, opportunities will be
available for those seeking health
and strength to conserve and re,
cuperate their worn vitality; and
be born again phyhically; recus,
STATED mentally; and upilfted
spiritually, within this vast garden
Of the sky.
Just yesterday a representative
from Washington was in Hender-
sonville. He stated that through
the department of agriculture in
Washington, it's sub-offices Of for
estry in that city; through the
regional headquarters Of the
north-south forest department in
Atlanta; and Western North Car
DINA headquarters in Asheville,
they are prepared to cooperate
with this section in telling the
world of its beauties, and the in
Vulnerable advantages Of its fed.
eral forests consisting Of two and
one half million acres. 1t has
been intimated that they will not
stand idly by and let the depart
ment Of interior surpass them In
the matter of advertising the
Great Smoky National Park over
the Great Pisgah Forest. The
former has only asmall acreage,
comparatively, Of 10000 acres;
and the Pisgah Forest consists OF
approximately fourteen times as
great an acreage area. The de-
partment of agriculture is the Gus
todian of our Pisgah National
Forest. -. --s'.-
The Blue Ridge Parkway en-
tiers their domain near the Vir-
ginia line, after leaving the
Shenandoah and extends some
CONTINUED on page three)