APPENDIX. 33 



The longer experience of the older countries must convince all 

 thoughtful men of the dangers of deforestation, and also point out 

 the benefits to accrue from a wise forestry policy, that would main- 

 tain our forest area and increase its productiveness. We would not 

 for a moment take the ground that the present forest area of Maine 

 is not enough to provide forest products for home consumption for 

 an unlimited time. The question that concerns Maine is not lumber 

 for home consumption, but lumber for export, bringing revenue to 

 the State, and prosperity to our State commonwealth. 



The most of the forest lands in Maine have passed from the con- 

 trol of the State, and belong to individuals or corporations. The 

 State has relinquished her right, without repurchase, to control only 

 in a general way, for the general good, the forests of the State. 



The future of our forests and their ability to yield a continuous 

 revenue is largely in the hands of individuals and corporations. 



The question for our lumbermen is whether they will adopt the 

 selfish policy of devastating forests for present gain, or whether they 

 will be satisfied with the annual growth, and bequeath them to future 

 generations with their original productiveness. 



Perhaps it is asking too much of the average man to consider the 

 welfare of unborn generations. 



To guard the future welfare of the nation against the narrow, 

 selfish policy of the present generation, is more appropriately a mat- 

 ter for the consideration of statesmen and states. 



A man is guarded in his life, liberty and property by the State, 

 and has no right to use the land deeded him in such a way that it 

 will be worthless for future purposes and bring disaster to the com- 

 monwealth. Forest lands in the foreign countries are largely owned 

 and controlled by the government. Even private forests are under 

 state control, and in some of the countries the owners of land can- 

 not cut wood without the consent of the government. 



The policy of business men in great enterprises is to keep their 

 capital intact and be satisfied with a reasonable interest. It is to 

 the interest of forest owners not to destroy the productiveness of 

 forest lands, but so manage them that the annual growth will give a 

 continuous return. Those who have had experience in the manage- 

 ment of large timber tracts, in reference to a perpetual supply, know 

 that the annual growth will give an interest on the money invested 

 as great as most business enterprises. 

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