THE AFTERNOON SESSION 



THE first order of business at the 

 opening of the session of Thurs- 

 day afternoon, January 14, was 

 the report of the Committee on Resolu- 

 tions. The report was taken up section 



by section, each portion of the resohi 

 tions being fully discussed, and the 

 vote was taken by sections. The reso- 

 lutions in full, as finally adopted, arc 



given below. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS 



1. Whereas, the position of the American 

 Forestry Association has consi^stently been 

 one opposed to entering into questions po- 

 litical, and, 



Whereas, the Association has not 

 heretofore expressed by resolution any atti- 

 tude towards the question of tariff on 

 lumber, or wood pulp. 



Resolved, that it is the sense of this 

 meeting that this policy of non-interference 

 in matters political be approved and con- 

 tinued as the future policy of the Associa- 

 tion. 



2. The need for education in forestry in- 

 creases with the opportunities for its 

 practice. But a sharp distinction must be 

 made between the instruction which has for 

 its object the raining of professional forest- 

 ters, that which aims to qualify farmers and 

 other woodland owners to manage their 

 own properties intelligently, and that which 

 is offered for the enlightenment of the 

 general public. 



Recognizing the fact that various classes 

 of learners are often confused, be it 

 resolved : 



First, That the American Forestry Asso- 

 ciation advocates the widest dissemination 

 of all facts relative to forests and forestry, 

 but distinctly discountenances the making 

 of reckless, unsupported and doubtful state- 

 ments as harmful to the real interests of 

 the cause. 



Second, That it endorses and recommends 

 the passage of Senate Bill 7772, Sixty-sixth 

 Congress, second session, providing for in- 

 struction in forestry at the agricultural 

 schools of the various States, zuith the clause 

 that no part of the appropriation shall be 

 used for technical instruction, and not with- 

 tion therefor of a law providing that timber 

 out it. 



3. That the American Forestry Associa- 

 tion urges the repeal of the law known as 

 the Timber and Stone Act, and the substitu- 

 tion therefor of a law providing that timber 

 and stone shall be sold at its actual value 

 and the proceeds devoted to the purchase 

 of forest lands whose protection is neces- 

 sary to safeguard navigable rivers. 



Whereas, the necessity of improving and 

 utilizing, to the utmost extent, the internal 

 waterways of the country has become a 

 R6 



measure of both commercial importance and 

 of national safety, therefore : 



Be it resolved : The American Associa- 

 tion urges the National Congress to author- 

 ize as speedily as possible the accomplish- 

 ment of this work, and if need be, to issue 

 bonds in payment for the same, as recom- 

 mended by President Roosevelt and Presi- 

 dent-elect Taft. 



Resolved : That copies of this resolution 

 be respectfully transmitted to the Senate 

 and House of Representatives. 



4. Whereas, Protection of the watersheds 

 is of vital importance to the future of every 

 State, and. 



Whereas, the owners of such watersheds 

 are usually financially unable to give ade- 

 quate protection to the non-agricultural 

 portions thereof, therefore: 



Be it resolved: That the Members of the 

 American Forestry Association urge upon 

 he Legislatures of their respective States, 

 the wisdom and the necessity of their States 

 purchasing such non-agricultural lands and 

 converting them, as speedily as possible, 

 into well-timbered State Forest Reserves. 

 5. Whereas, no law is equitable or just 

 which obliges the owner, or owners, of 

 forest lands to pay all the taxes upon land 

 fro mwhich he or they receive no more 

 benefit than the State at large, and. 



Whereas, no law is equitable which im- 

 poses a greater tax upon a crop of growing 

 timber than it does upon a crop of growing 

 corn, or other grain, therefore : 



Be it resolved, That the American Forest- 

 ry Association recommends that its mem- 

 bers do all in their power to secure within 

 their respective ,States the enactment of 

 such laws as may be constitutional therein 

 as will remove the tax from standing timber, 

 and substitute instead of such tax, an in- 

 come tax when the timber is cut. 



Resolved: That we welcome the assist- 

 ance of and heartily commend and endorse 

 the organization and work of the Woman's 

 National Rivers and Harbors Congress 

 Its aims, as stated in its construction, being 

 •'The promotion of the meritorious water- 

 ways, rivers, harbors, and canals, the pres- 

 ervation of the forests and the conservation 

 of all the other natural resources." 



