The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1955-11-11
FOREST DISASTERS COST HEAVILY

FOREST DISASTERS COST HEAVILY
AS Governor Hodges said recently in Williamson at
the Southern Abearle meeting it is unworthy of us we
take less than 25yearook at the future of forests
There is doubt about it. crime has been committed in the
forests of North Carolina for years. and still continues
this immense natural resource there has been uncounted
nexcusabe and criminal waste There has been wanton
unwaanted destruction for century There has been
sinful robbery of the birthright of untold children
There appears to be letup IN the wastetu practces
that prevailed in the harvesting of timber There ap-
pears be little progress in fire protection We have So
called system that appears to cost the taxpayers more each
and yet for the past few years we've had es more
destructive than In modern logging operations there
regard insects and forest borers which kill growing tim
Der Huge quantities of dead tops left exposed to the
careless person who drops flame as ne goes his way Inc
resulting CONGREGATIONS have wiped millions from tax
books which becomes direct loss to other taxpayer
who in turn must dig deep in their pockets to make up the
difference.
AS to pile calamity upon another recent hurri
have to terrific destruction throughout
Vast acreages underground have been killed. and
millions of of timber uprooed and left to rot The in
creased volume of dead stuff left the ground multi
piled the fire hazards many times
There is throughout our woodlands far greater
fire hazard than at time in recollection and con-
sequenty we cannot estimate great damage that might
be caused by CONGREGATIONS thhs year. regardless if the
cause be of malicious or careless origin
The loss of timber in itself is great economic loss with
angles Tax values destroyed and opportunity for
employment running into thousands of dollars Numerous
families of counties depend upon employment in the
This employment is gradually dwndng away 1t is being
wiped by fires, by wastefu practices Wasteul prac
and the supply of lumber to diminish rapidly from
year to year When look back upon the giant industries
in the woods that oushed Is and so years ago. readily
set decline that is disastrous loss that has been
tremely costly all around
Another terrific loss has come upon us through dam
ages to forests In recentear good roads and automobiles
have brought forests within reach of thousands of
sporsmen seeking variety of game heretofore not in their
power to ENJOY Many OF these sposmen have not been
seasoned veterans the field They have often been rec
less and careless with fire Many of the big disastrous fires
have been the result of careless hunters and campers And
of course fires have been set with design by reckless
people who have in their actions manner of Matchmaking
themselves into employment with big landowners.
The destruction of forests by fire has destroyed likewise
a lot of game game that immense resource the
pursuit of which bringing new revenue to our people
who began to invest large in accommodations for
tourists and who got employment with these hunters
guides Piled on top of the loss of from fire damage
has come the hurricane tides and winds of the past two
seasons Saaden waters overlooked lands before
hurt in such manner, the memory of people, and
these waters destroyed countless of lush heritage
which deer and other game feed 1t blew fruits and nuts
from trees where bears and squirrels and other got
their living The fields longer filled with feed for larks
and quail Thousands of animals have died Many
in starving condition. and offer sport profit the
hunter This scarcity of game feed and of game itself will
continue for many years will take lot of conservation
and protection to encourage to rebuild In fact it is doubt
better than was before recent disasters by fire and
hurricane In all the history forests there have
been cycles which succeeded and exceeded any previous
state OF plenty, either in timber or in game
1t has long been the of humankind to destroy all
1t lays hands upon It seems the nature of to track down
ana Kill the last ANIMAL to be willing to destroy the last
bird for his sport though his neghbor too needs
food 1t has been the custom for authorities largely
gain political to permit the destruction thousands
OF tons OF little fish on which future supply entire
~ dependent in order that of the present day might
have all they wish and do as they pleased.
1t has always been that few people, almost like lone
voice crying IN the wilderness have stood forth in behalf
OF the urgent needs OF future generations is going to be
important for more small voices in the future cry
the wilderness where many others stand seshly for
nothing but and today and forever practice reck
less and criminal waste against forests against other
natural resources for that matter and consequently and
constantly commit crimes against people today
children of tomorrow.
HYDE LOSES A FINE CITIZEN