MEETING OF THE CANADIAN FORESTRY 



ASSOCIATION 



By E. A. STERLING 



CHE Canadian Forestry Association held its thirteenth annual meet- 

 ing in the Parliament Building, Ottawa, on Feb. 7 and 8. In point of 

 attendance and enthusiasm, it was one of the most successful meet- 

 ings ever held, and our Canadian friends have reason to be proud of the 

 growth of the Association and of the interest which is being manifested in 

 forestry matters throughout the Dominion. 



The two days' meeting was characterized by the large number in attend- 

 ance and by the comparatively small number of papers read, which, how- 

 ever, resulted in very interesting discussions from a large number of those 

 present. The following papers were read : "A Progressive Forest Policy 

 Requires an Investment of Capital," H. R. McMillan, M. F. ; '*The Attitude 

 of Railroads Towards Forest Fires," by E. A. Sterling, F. E. ; "The Aims 

 and Objects of the Canadian Forestry Association," by E. Stewart, F. E. 



Dr. B. E. Fernow's paper in regard to forest fires, and the report of his 

 committee appointed by the Association to consider this question, were of 

 particular interest. Lack of organization as regards forest fire protection 

 pertains in the forests of Canada as it does in the United States, but all 

 seemed agreed that with proper organization and co-operation between the 

 various interests, the fire damage could be very materially reduced, if not 

 entirely controlled. The lumbermen and forest officials of various provinces 

 pointed out the difficulty of procuring good men in remote districts who 

 could be depended upon for proper patrol and other precautions for the 

 prevention of fires. Unfortunately, some of the api)ointments have been 

 more or less political, and the result is that men entirely unfamiliar with 

 the woods have attempted to serve as guardians of the forests. 



The address given by Mr. Pinchot on the second day's meeting struck 

 to the very heart of the question of Forest Service organization. Mr. 

 Pinchot spoke frankly and clearly in regard to the difficulties which had 

 been encountered in developing the Forest Service in the United States, and 

 on the basis of his broad experience in building up such an organization, 

 he was able to point out the essential factors on which an efficient service 

 must depend. He emphasized the necessity of keeping free from all political 

 entanglements, and favored the placing of heavy responsibility on com- 

 paratively young men. Another fundamental point whicli he made was the 

 necessity of giving the field men a square deal, because under ordinary con- 

 ditions, when they are given no opportunities to get in personal touch 

 with the office, their recommendations are liable to be turned down without 

 sufficient consideration. Trying to get the field men's point of view, and 



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