Evening star., 1941-03-20
DR.. Byrd Opposes
Transfer Of State
Forestry Agency
Proponents of Measure
Also to Be Heard in
Two Sessions Today
OF The star.

ANNAPOLIS, March 20-Dr. H.
c. Byrd, president of the University
of Maryland, led the list of op-
p0nentS OF the administration
sponsored measure to remove the
Department of State Forests and
Parks from the university's jurisdic-
ton at a hearing here today.
The hearings begun last night by
the Senate Chesapeake Bay and
Tributaries Committee, headed by
Senator Philip H. Dorsey, jr.. of st.
Marys County, were devoted to tide
water fishing phases of the bill, but
opponents and proponents of the
proposal to create new department
of State forests and parks were to
have their innings today.
DIR. Byrd Testifies.
DR.. Byrd declared there was moth
ing the forestry department or the
geological department, which the
bill also proposes to remove from
the university's jurisdiction, could
accomplish under the setup that it
is not accomplishing now under
university direction.
He further asserted that many of
them, performed through the uni
versity, could not be done as well
separated from the extensive uni
versity organization.
Among the opponents of the
q n H AnIarcA,, nf
Rockville, Montgomery County agri-
cultural agent, and Lawson King of
Gaithersburg, representing the farm
bureau. The House chamber was
filled long before the morning ses-
sion opened and the crowd over
flowed into the halls.
The bill embodies recommended
tions contained in report of Gov
O'Conor's Conservation Committee
made in January which urged estab-
lishment of a State board of natural
resources Of II members to CO.
ordinate activities of the several
State departments concerned with
conservation of Maryland's re-
sources.
Heated Controversy Seen.
The principal recommendations
are that:
A Department of Tidewater Fish
cries replace the present Conserva-
ton Department..
A Department of Game and In
land Fish replace the State Game
and Inland Fish Commission.
Three new departments be Gre
ated under the Natural Resources
Board, one for State forests and
parks, one for geology, mines and
water resources and one for research
and education.
The proposal to remove the pres
ent Department of Forestry from
the university's jurisdiction is ex-
pected to cause heated controversy
Proponents are scheduled to appear
this afternoon in rebuttal to DR.
Byrd.
The bill would abolish the For
estry Department and have the new
Department of State Forests and
Parks take over State forests and
parks, administration of all laws
relating to fire control and roadside
tree paintings and operation of the
State forest nursery.
The bill would leave to the uni
versity all forestry extension work
now being done on private property
l1r1dar tho iciN ioti
and direction of the University Ex-
tension Service.
5-Man Commission.
The proposed commission would
consist of five members appointed
by the Governor, one on recon-
mendation of the State Grange, one
recommended by The State Farm
Bureau, one a practical lumbermar
from the State and two for thei1
general interest in forestry. Theii
terms would be for five years and
they would receive no compensation
except actual travelling expenses.
To the report of the Governors
committee, of which W. F. Schluder-
berg of Baltimore was chairman
only one exception was taken. While
agreeing with all other phases OF
the committee report, Thomas Roy
Brooks, Hartford County farmer and
dairyman, filed minority statement
objecting to removal of the forestry
work from the university's jurisdic-
ton.
The proposed budget allotment
for forestry work during the coming
biennium is approximately $4,000.
No change was suggested in the