168 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



doubled and even more. The rise has been especially marked in the 

 last two years. The forest ranger receiving $1,100 or $1,200, re- 

 quired as he is to own from one to three horses, finds himself, even 

 with the greatest economy, unable to pay his essential bills. By 

 taking work in the mines, shipyards, sawmills, or with live-stock 

 companies he can do much better. The bulk of the men have re- 

 mained at their posts, though scores have received outside offers of 

 from $200 to $2,000 or more per year in excess of their Forest Service 

 salaries. 



The situation of the forest officers, clerks, and others having fixed 

 bases of salary is very critical, and requires the earnest consideration 

 of Congress. It has so far been possible to meet the drain upon 

 the personnel by readjustments, by curtailment of certain work, and 

 by employing as temporaries persons less skilled and experienced. 

 The consequences have necessarily been felt at some points. It has 

 not always been possible to maintain the same standards of service, 

 and some constructive work of public importance has had to be 

 given up. One instance occurred in 1917 on a Forest in Idaho. 

 Practically the entire forest force had been replaced by relatively 

 inexperienced men. It cost $50,000 to put out fires that normally 

 would have been quickly brought under control; and there was also 

 a loss, in timber destroyed or damaged, of $40,000. 



The Forest Service has furnished to all branches of the Army and 

 Navy 446 men. In addition to this a considerable number have left 

 to serve in the War and Navy Departments in a civil capacity, and 

 still others have resigned to take part in industries directly concerned 

 in producing materials for war uses. Still others have been forced 

 to leave the service because, with the low standard of salaries, they 

 were unable to meet the constantly increasing cost of living. Since 

 our entry into the war 1,179 persons, including those who have gone 

 into the Army and Navy, have left the service. The reduction of 

 the trained force by transfer to other branches of the Government 

 for military work has constituted the normal contribution to the war. 

 That practically the whole force did not enter such work has been 

 due to the courageous patriotism of the men in remaining at their 

 posts because requested to do so on account of the necessity to protect 

 the public forests and maintain their essential activities. 



One of the first calls made upon the personnel was in connection 

 with the organization of the forestry troops b}^ the Corps of Engi- 

 neers. Two regiments of skilled woods and sawmill workers, com- 

 prising about 9,000 men and fully equipped with sawmills and log- 

 ging appliances, w^ere sent to France to produce from the French 

 forests wood materials needed by the Army. The Forester was sent 

 to France under commission to prepare the way for this work, and 

 the Forest Service was called upon to cooperate in the recruiting of 

 the forces. Altogether over 150 members of the Forest Service were 

 taken for these forest regiments. 



THE NATIONAL FOREST PROPERTIES. 



CONTINUED DECREASE IN AREA. 



The net area of the National Forests at the close of the fiscal year 

 was 165,374,602 acres, as against 155,166,619 acres one year previ- 

 ously. The corresponding gross areas were 175,951,266^ acres and 



