FOREST SERVICE SALARIES AND THE FUTURE OF THE 

 NATIONAL FORESTS 



By Aldo LeopoIvD 

 Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque, N. Mex. 



During the past five years there has been a cumulative realization of 

 the fact that the low scale of salaries paid by the Forest Service was 

 causing a shortage of competent men on the National Forests. The 

 cost of living has so far outstripped the almost negligible promotions 

 allowed by Congress that there has been an increasing annual exodus 

 of leadership, experience, and ability — technical and non-technical — 

 into other fields. 



This fact is so well known as to require no further proof or mention. 

 The purpose of this paper is to point out two facts which I believe 

 have so far been realized only dimly, if at all, by the profession: First, 

 that the salary situation threatens the ultimate success of our great 

 experiment in national forestry ; second, that really logical methods of 

 redress have not yet been attempted. 



As to the first point, I believe that foresters and the proponents of 

 forestry have somewhat deceived themselves as to the real status of 

 the National Forest system in the eye and mind of the voting public. 

 We are repeatedly assured that the Forest Service has won a firm 

 position in the' minds of the people. This is true. But has national 

 forestry likewise permanently established itself? Is the public con- 

 vinced that forest management of the timbered public domain, by 

 technical foresters, is a permanent and indispensable function of the 

 Federal Government? I believe the answer cannot be quite so posi- 

 tively affirmative. In the West there is good reason to believe that 

 public support attaches itself not so much to national forestry as to 

 national foresters, and to certain incidental services, such as range 

 control and the infusion of civic leadership into isolated communities, 

 which these foresters have rendered with notable efficiency. In other 

 words, the public has approved, not so much the great cause, but rather 

 the efficient organization. 



Now, if we allow low salaries to kill the efficiency of the organization, 

 what will happen? The alienation of local public support. And with 

 State control and the machinations of politicians even now constantly 

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