FOREST DEVASTATION 941 



to National Forests, values to be established by Government 

 appraisal. 



Since lands of the United States are not taxable, the Com- 

 mission should compensate the counties for losses in taxation 

 caused by the transfer of title to the Nation. 

 (h) To co-operate with the several States — 



1. For the protection of forests against fire and other 

 enemies and for largely increased financial assistance to the 

 States from the National Government for that purpose, under 

 definite standards of efificiency. 



2. For promoting the purchase or acquisition of private 

 forest lands by the Nation, the States, or by communities. 



3. For a uniform system of state forest taxation aimed at 

 the best use of the land. Such legislation might include both 

 measures for deferred taxation on standing timber and the 

 placing of a sur-tax on forest land not protected and managed 

 in substantial conformity with the national and state laws 

 and with the standards and regulations promulgated by the 

 Commission or by corresponding state authority. 



3. Authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to carry on such oper- 

 ations on the National Forests as may be necessary to harvest and 

 market forest products. 



■i. Authorizing the establishment of adequate forest insurance 

 agencies. These would be important factors in stabilizing the industry 

 and would tend to bring about more thorough-going protection against 

 fire. 



5. Authorizing the creation of a National Forest Loan Board and 

 Forest Loan Banks. This would enable the lumber industry to borrow 

 on more equitable terms than at present, thus materially decreasing 

 carrying charges. 



G. Granting official recognition to regional and national councils of 

 lumber employers and employees, chosen respectively by the operators 

 and the workmen ; and to joint regional and joint national councils of 

 the regional and national employers and employees councils combined ; 

 or creating equivalent agencies under conditions and regulations pro- 

 mulgated by the Commission. 



Among the functions of these councils would be to consider and ad- 

 just such matters as wage rates, overtime, hours of employment, leaves, 

 housing, board, insurance, and the participation of employees in matters 



