EDITORIAL COMMENT 201 



further increased b}' ultimate growth on what are now non-nifrchantahle areas 

 and through reforesting of denuded lands." 



Quoting further from the same report : 



"The present system does not best provide a future supply of timber . . . 

 The question of the source of supply of our necessary wood material is one that 

 must be seriously considered . . . if the resources of the State are properly 

 developed the necessary supply can be produced. 



"Good forest management which will produce better commercial forests is none 

 the less useful in producing the indirect benefits." 



The representatives of the educational institutions at Syracuse and 

 Cornell will, of course, favor a proper use of the forest preserve. 



The State Forestry Association avowedly favors "a. rational policy 

 in managing the forest lands owned by the State," and its representa- 

 tive may be counted on to uphold this viewpoint. 



The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks has since its 

 organization, in 1901, been a controlling influence in respect to the 

 handling of the forest preserve. It regards itself as the "watch-dog" 

 of the Adirondacks, and the representative of this association is likely 

 to brand any measure proposed as a dangerous and unnecessary im- 

 pairment of the constitutional protection of the forest preserve. 



Finally, the Empire State Forest Products Association, while not 

 free from the taint of commercialism, has in recent years contended 

 for a broad, public-spirited, comprehensive policy, which will establish 

 a rational and practical treatment of the great conservation questions, 

 whether they be forest or water-power. In this respect its representa- 

 tive will take his stand with the forces of education and progress. 



Thus, when the committee assembles, four out of the six representa- 

 tives may be counted on to favor a forward-looking policy. If their 

 viewpoint prevails and is accepted by the people of the State, it may be 

 that the long night of disuse is over and that the morning of a better 

 day for foresters in New York State is at hand. It will require the 

 passage of a resolution by two successive legislatures and a referendum 

 by the people and it cannot become effective until January, 1922. To 

 accomplish this, a campaign of education and enlightenment is needed, 

 overcoming old prejudices and inculcating the proper viewpoint in 

 regard to matters of forest policy. 



Meanwhile it behooves every forester, w'hether he resides in New 

 York State or not, to get behind this movement and to "give a reason 

 for the faith that is in him." 



A. B. R. 



