The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-04-20
Only One Answer Possible

Shall follow the advice of forward looking and
plan for perpetual lumber industry in this section shall
we cling TO the foolish practice that has heretofore prevailed
with the resulting ghost towns financial loss and men with
out work! Shall we help keep important industry alive
Tor many years to shall pursue course that will
bring more dwindlng and dead towns than we already
have2
It is up the people of this district make de-
eson Either there must be wise plans made for the future
the death of the leading industry of the region be
foreseen within very few years
The wise solution of the problem is contained in what
trained forest pleased to call the sustained yield
management of the forests This is simple thing 1t is
exactly what its signifies 1t is managing the forests
III such manner that supply OF logs to feed into the m
Der industry will be available for all time to 1t means
the cutting OF only certain amount of logs each year and
the conserving of the young growth that second crop
can be harvested IN future years By repeating this process
OF wise cutting and reproduction is said the lumber in
dustry here can be maintained perpetualy.
To make this most desirable result possible it is being
urged that the government acquire large block of pr-
vaey owned timber include in the local national forest
and then resell to the sawm it needed round
the sustained yield program 1t IS said there is not enough
timber within the present national forest make the sus-
tanned yield possible without this privately owned timber
Hence It IS being urged that the government acquire this
timber and resell later thereby helping to perpetuate
important industry that employs hundreds of and that
scatters employment and money all the district
It has been argued III some quarters that the lumber
industry ought to buy up its own supply of timber The
answer is that private owners will not invest SO large
IN view of heavy interests charges depreciation and fire
hazards The further that though the gov
eminent would buy the timber it will eventually get its
money back the sale of the first crop and thereafter
each crop sold there would be additional from the
governments investment In fact the government would
have asset from which it would be drawing income
stantly.
Some have wondered about the loss of taxes that would
follow the transfer of large body of timber from private
to government ownership There would of necessity need
to be some adjustment in that respect but should be
membered that Is per cent of sales from national forest
lands returned to the county where the sale originates
And what becomes Of tax after huge industry is
dead and all that left ghost towns abandoned homes
and businesses? Where will 4axes come from when at
least ID cent of tax values gone for all time to
with the death of an important industry?
There IS only answer to this question, to who
has the ability to visualize the future and plan nelgeny
for future years and peanency Sustained yield
perpetual lumber industry for this district permanent prop
ery Values labor for hundreds of with that labor spread
to all parts of the county, comfortable homes good schools
for our children and contened people.