THE PROPRIETY AND NEED OF 



FEDERAL ACTION* 



BY 

 Hon. Hoke Smith, Governor of Georgia 



Mr. Chairman and Ge;ntlEmen : and the other two had meetings fixed 



weeks ago of such importance that 

 I desire, on behalf of those who are ^^^^ ^^^j^ ^^^ k-^ve. I have received 

 here, from Maine to Georgia, and letters from a number of them in the 

 from as far west as Ohio, to thank j^^^ ^^^^^ weeks; and I come to say 

 you for the courteous hearing that you ^^ y^^j f^^^ ^h^n^^ as well as from my 

 have given us. We believe that we ^^^ g^^te, that when the Nation 

 come in support of a measure that has ^^-^^^ j^qJ^j of ^-^[^ g^eat problem and 

 great National importance— one that ^^^^ j^g p^j-l-^ ^l^g„ j believe you can 

 we believe it is impossible to carry j-eadily expect to see the States follow 

 out except, first, by National action. -^^ ^-^^ |-j^g of y^^r action and help 

 It has been suggested by members of handle nobly all that part of the re- 

 the committee that the States should sponsibility which should properly 

 handle the problem. That is an im- f^n upon the States. And, further- 

 possibility. The forest experts who j^^j.^^ ^^j^h the inspiration of the ser- 

 have come before you have shown ^j^,^ ^j^^t will come from the Nation- 

 how impossible it is for South Caro- ^1 work, and with the further stimu- 

 lina to handle her problem ; and it is i^^t of the local forestry work done by 

 as impossible for North Carolina to ^^e States, we may well expect to see 

 handle hers. How impossible it is to ^^^ people along the lines of these 

 expect West Virginia to handle the streams themselves inspired to make 

 problem. The beneficial results efforts that heretofore they would 

 would reach away over into Kentucky j^^ve been discouraged from making; 

 and into Indiana and into Illinois, ^e may well expect to see them in- 

 How unreasonable it would be to ask spiked by National and State effort. 

 North Carolina to handle the prob- responding, with their small pieces of 

 lem, when the streams there rising flow j^nd, to carry on the good work to 

 on down through Tennessee and Ala- preserve the streams, so important to 

 bama, and back up through Tennes- ^^le welfare of our glorious country, 

 see, and even to Paducah, Ky. and ^j^_ Chairman and gentlemen, the 

 then down the Mississippi. The bene- ^^^^ speaker has called your attention 

 ficial effects of this bil are so Nation- ^^ ^^J important problem of health, 

 al in their character that it is utterlv ^^ ^^^^ -jg^ testimony from ex- 

 impossible to apportion the responsi- ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ problem of 

 bility between the States where the ^^^ ^^^^^^ rj., ^^^^ ^^^^^^ you 

 land lies. I wish however, to say to ^^^^ .^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^f mountains 

 you in behalf of the Governors of the .^ ^^^ ^^^ j^^^ ^ f^^. ^j^^t part of 

 States of the Southern .-.ppalachian ^^^ country east of the Mississippi to 

 Range, pf West Virginia of Ken- ^.^^ timber for the future use of 

 tucky, of Tennessee, of Alabama of ^^^ j^ ^^ have lived so fast 

 South Carolina, of North Caro ma ^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ 

 and of Virsfinia, that they have asked ' ' , , , u ^.Ii ^^ 

 me to be here lo speak for them, as that we have been careless about them^ 

 well as for myself. All of them, ex- Pilmg up wealth easily, we forget to 

 cept two. have Legislatures on hand, conserve the natural resources of our 

 and found it impossible to be here ; country for those who are to come af- 



*Rem3rks at the hearing on the Appalachian Bill, before the House Committee 

 on Agriculture, January 30, 1908. 



