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AMERICAN FORESTRY 



the aflSIiated organizations, not only for exchanging experience and suggestions, 

 but also for issuing publicity matter, dealing with outside agencies and gen- 

 ei-ally representing the movement in all ways. Being recognized as a disin- 

 terested authority, the central association is invited into council on subjects 

 of forest protection and legislation all over the United States, by public, 

 private and official agencies of all kinds. It furnishes material for the reports 

 of state conservation and forestry commissions, prepares and advises upon 

 forest legislation, supplies copy for educational literature and fire warnings, 

 assists public speakers in the preparation of papers dealing with forestry 

 subjects, and is frequently called upon to address conventions of all kinds. 



One particularly important function of the central association is to collect 

 and distribute frequent and reliable information concerning fire conditions, 

 steps to meet them evolved by the several agencies, and the results in protec- 

 tion and losses. It affords the only means of combining state, federal and 

 private reports. Two meetings a year are held, at which representatives of each 

 of these agencies from the five states confer and to which are invited any others 

 who may be concerned. For example, last December's meeting was made 

 the occasion to discuss cooperation with officials of the transcontinental 

 railroads. 



All of this costs money. To insure against any possible charge of 

 selfish influence by those who supply it, no individual contributions or dues 

 are permitted. Once a year the affiliated organizations vote a pro rata assess- 

 ment to cover the following year's estimated expenses, and in its use the 

 forester is governed only by a semiannual meeting of five trustees, one from 

 each state, elected at an annual meeting in which every local association has 

 equal voice regardless of the amount of its contributory assessment. 



The history and future of this movement are of much significance. The 

 five states involved contain half the standing timber in the United States 

 today. The protection of this national resource is of the highest importance. 

 But quite as important is the fact that here, where such forests can be produced 

 more rapidly than elsewhere, is the great field of future American forestry — 

 the nation's woodlot, as it were. And so far from requiring compulsion in the 

 public's behalf, the private owners who hold these great forest areas in trust 

 are doing their part to safeguard the future consumer more liberally than state 

 or Congress, and by doing so today give the best earnest of their part in 

 the future. 



