SOUTHERN FORESTRY CONFERENCE 



CHIEF FORESTER HENRY S. GRAVES, of the Forest Service, has 

 issued the following statement : 



"In connection with the Nashville meeting of the Southern Com- 

 mercial Congress, April 8 to 10, there will be held a forestry conference. The 

 object of this conference will be to bring together lumbermen, timberland 

 owners, State officials, representatives of civic and other organizations, and 

 influential men who have an interest in the forest problems of the South, in 

 an attempt to work out a constructive ])rograni of action. 



''I have promised to preside over this conference, in the belief that it 

 will accomplish important results. The Forest Service has, as a result of 

 recent studies, some important facts concerning particularly the forest fire 

 problem, which will be presented at the meetings. I do not believe that either 

 lumbermen or the public have any idea of the seriousness of the damage now 

 done by fire in the South. In justice both to timberland owners and to the 

 public there is urgent need for better protection of the forests of the South, 

 which form so important a part of its resources. 



"I believe that the subject is one which calls emphatically for State legis- 

 lation. Fairness to all calls for an approach to uniform legislation, at least 

 along some lines. There is, in my judgment, great need for those most nearly 

 concerned to meet together and deal with the problems involved constructively. 



''I have invited a number of representative lumbermen. State forestry offi- 

 cials, legislators and others to attend and take pai't in the conference. ^lay I 

 ask you to make public the fact that the conference is open to all, and that I 

 desire to extend, through your columns, a general invitation to all lumbermen 

 and timberland owners to attend? Measures fair to all the interests involved 

 can be shaped up only if all points of view are fully considered, and progress 

 toward better conditions depeuds upon the formulation of a program on which 

 all can unite. 



"The conference will consist of two sessions. The first will be held on 

 the afternoon of April 8. At this session there will be a discussion of losses 

 suffered in the South through forest fires, the possibility of control, what the 

 timberland owner and lumberman can and should do to prevent fire losses, 

 and how far conservative cutting will be practicable if protection from fire is 

 assured. 



"The second session of the conference will be held on the morning of 

 April 9 and will discuss State forestry laws, fire organization, need of uniform 

 legislation, and the coojjeration of States and private owners with the Federal 

 Government under the Weeks law." 



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