OUR FOREST WEALTH 



185 



white hills of Xew Hampshire and the great commercial and manu- 

 facturing interests dependent thereupon an argument may be made 

 almost or quite as strong as that for the protection of the Southern 

 Appalachian forests. 



Xine years ago the struggle began for the establishment of national 

 forests first in the southern Appalachians, and then in the White Moun- 

 tains. In the fifty-ninth Congress this effort almost succeeded. The 

 bill was unanimously passed by the Senate and reported without dis- 

 sent for passage by the House Committee on Agriculture. The presi- 

 dent approved it in advance and strongly urged its passage. Through 

 the opposition, however, as is generally understood, of the speaker, this 

 bill could not be brought to a vote in the House. The fifty-ninth 

 Congress did, however, appropriate $25,000 for surveying the Appala- 

 chian-White Mountain area. In the summer following, the survey was 

 made and the report was made at the first session of the sixtieth 

 Congress. Appalachian bills were promptly introduced into both 

 Houses. The House bills went to the Committee on Agriculture. 

 Here, on January 30, a hearing was had. It lasted an entire day and 

 was of a character apparently to convince all who were open to con- 

 viction. Later, however, the constitutional question was raised and the 

 bill was sent to the House Committee on Judiciary. A hearing was had 

 before this committee on February 27, the arguments for and against 



A Serious Fire was stopped at this Lane. It is 60 feet wide, and was hastily 



cut through a Dense Sapling Stand. Litter scraped up on the right. 



Beede, Adirondack Mountains, N. Y. 



