Evening star., 1947-08-04

the public exercise some measure of control over
timber cutting and related practices. Some
commentators have seen In this proposal q
move toward extreme RECOMMENDATION, socialism,
or dictatorship. Actually the proposal visual
ICES only those requirements sufficient to pre-
vent the use of destructive cutting practices
and to make sure that forest land will be kept
in condition to continue growing reasonably full
crops of timber. Such regulation should en-
courage and stimulate progress toward sus-
tained-yield forest management
Aids to encourage better management on
private lands-To make sure we have the best
answers to the many problems of forest man
agement, protection, and utilization and to
find the answers to problems yet unsolved we
should have an expanded program of technical
research Through research we can find even
better and faster ways OF growing timber.
Private Tree Planting Help.
We should encourage more forest planting
on private lands. Under the Clarke -McNary
law of 1924 Federal aid is now given to the
States in growing and distributing tree
nursery stock at low cost Only farmers can
now receive planting stock under this Federal
aid program. Authority for such aid should be
broadened to include other forest landowners
Establishment of federally sponsored for
est-credt system to make long term loans
available on reasonable terms and on condi-
tions adapted to the needs of private forest
operators Is recommended Such loans should
by all means be conditional upon sound forest
practice.
More public forests-The foregoing are meas
ures that will help to encourage private enter
prise in timber growing. They should go far
toward raising the level of forestry practice on
private lands.
There are great many areas, however, that
would best be in public ownership, managed and
protected as national, State, and community
forests. That is the only practical way to as
sure stable ownership and satisfactory manage
ment for those lands which are abviously not
suited or destined for successful permanent
private development, and for certain key areas
where public values are of high importance.
Development Of Public Forest Urged.
Forest restoration and improvement.--Th
would be little point in establishing public for
ests If failed to develop their full potentiali-
ties. On national forests already established
81 million acres of partly or wholly denuded
land need to be brought back into production
by planting Much improvement work-thin-
ming. pruning, etc.-needs to be done in young
stands to seed the growth of usable timber and
better Its qualities.
To realize the full values of our national for
ests under multiple purpose management, i'm
provement work is needed in other lines in
addition to that calculated to increase growth
of timber and facilitate its harvest. Within the
national forests are range lands which play
an important part in the Nations production
of meat, wool and leather Reseeding and other
improvements are needed to increase the live
stock-carrying capacity Of these range lands.
More facilities are needed to meet the increas-
ing numbers of recreationists. Upstream work
is needed to reduce floods.
Abundant timber supply is essential If the
United States is to maintain its place as a
strong, progressive Nation. Wood was a vital
necessity in conducting the war 1t is just as
important to our progress and security in
peace. Producing forests are the source of
thousands of needed commodities. Produc-
ing forests means jobs They have an import
ant part to play in maintaining the high level
of industrial activity upon which full employ
ment depends.