The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-21

', fronted with Q huge problenl-tha of salvaging millions of board feet of timber felled by the storm, a seroius potential forest fire hazard Rapidly organized hurricane
 emergency committees in each oi the six states formed Q coalition and went to Washington for aid. Efforts first were made to elim- mate or reduce the fire hazard with the help of the WPA and eco. Then plans were drafted to salvage the timber.
 Two Directors Named U. s. Chief Forester F. A. silcoz was appointed head of the North
 eastern Timber Salvage Adminis- tration, and Leslie s. Bean named as director of fire-hazard reduc- ton and timber salvage work for the area.
 Through cooperation of the Dis 1 aster Loan Corporation, affiliated with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and the U. 8. Agri- culture Departments Federal Sur- plus Commodity Corporation, are arrangements were made enabling the N.ET.SA. to borrow money at 3 per cent interest with logs and lumber as collateral.
 Now, just a year after the storm, Bean estimates that 67 per cent of the timber salvage work has been completed. The forest fire haz- ard has been greatly reduced, also Bean estimates that 10000 five room houses could be built from the lumber already salvaged. From $40, 100000 to $50,000,000 already has been saved in timber for New Englanders, he says. Only 25 to 30 per cent of the timber blown down was merchantible.
 Receiving Stations Total SO6 The 806 receiving points through out New England to date have re- ceived 582, 100, ,000 board feet of tim- Der. Currently 267 ponds are being used for storing logs and 173 mills saving lumber. So far, 224,100, 900 board feet of lumber has been sawed, and the N.E.T.S.A. has paid 12,172 timber-owners 6,782, 900. Saw mill operators have been paid $2,- 122, 300 by the N. E. T. s. A. Logging costs totaled $2,942.000 Administra- ton of the program has cost 391 cents on each dollar spent. Workers have had to move fast in a race against insects and fun- gus. Not until August did insects begin to take heavy toll in some districts. Employment during May and June hit 8 peak of 52,000, in- cludirg wPA and eco workers and private mill operators. Many anxious lumber dealers from al parts of the United States gathered in Winchendon, Mass. ; Sept. 12, to learn how the govern ment plans to dispose of the tim Der. They were told it would be carefully merchandised over an ex- tended period according to the de- mand of the market at no less than cost.
 Timber Land Periled
 Director Bean warns New Eng land that much timber land was SO badly damaged that 1t will never again produce commercial timber unless there is "a sensible basis of rehabilitation.
 He described as typical exam pie the situation in Winchendon. The town with a population of $500 has wood using industries which pay taxes amounting to 5000 900. These companies em- ploy TOO heads of families and $500 townspeople are dependent on these firms operating. Before the hurricane, the town had a constant supply of lumber from . 20 mile area. The salvaged timber will last only six years, reports Bean.
 The towns stability will soon be threatened, believes Bean, unless the proble moi developing . luYn- Der supply is solved.
 Today, one year after the hur- ricane, the N.E.T.SA. is receiving logs at the rate of 100000 board feet per week and Is saving them at the rate of 100000 board feet per week. Income to New England labor and timber owners amounts each week to $l30,O00. Approx. | A..-a A-Y- A