318 JOURNAI, OF FORESTRY 



charges. Noise to be sure, but never the telUng effect of honest shell, 



:|: * * * * >(: * 5l: * H= * * 



The holiday was over and the crowd was gone. A smiling woman 

 of generous proportions was cheerfully gathering up ballots and other 

 papers. "We did well, didn't we?" she said, mistaking me for a voter. 

 "Perhaps so," I replied, and walked away. T. S. W., Jr. 



Has the Society Changed Its Mind? 



Last summer the Society voted 3 to 2 in favor of Federal control 

 of privately owned timberlands. The wording of the questionnaire, in 

 the opinion of several members, did not allow an expression of opinion 

 as to whether they would prefer Federal control rather than control 

 by the individual States. A resolution was passed, therefore, at the 

 last annual meeting, providing for a new referendum specifically be- 

 tween State control, as exemplified by the Snell bill, and Federal control, 

 as exemplified by the proposed revised Capper bill. The ballot, which 

 was concluded on March 15, resulted in 195 votes for the Snell bill 

 and 109 for the revised Capper bill, or almost 3 to 1 in favor of State 

 control. 



A number of those voting explained that they really believe in Fed- 

 eral control, but voted for the Snell bill for reasons of expediency, or 

 with the idea that it should be given a trial as a stepping stone to 

 Federal control later on. 



It is significant that out of the large number voting (304), no one 

 expressed himself as against any public control at all. Since, therefore, 

 the sentiment of the Society, so far as it could be ascertained from 

 this ballot, is unanimous for some form of public control of privately 

 owned timberlands, it is interesting to speculate on whether the latest 

 verdict will again be reversed, within a year or two, in favor of out- 

 right Federal control. The policies adopted in the meantime by the 

 important timber States will be carefully scrutinized. 



Is Texas Showing the Way? 



There is now a forest bill be for the Texas legislature. Among other 

 things it provides for the appointment of a State Forester by the Direc- 

 tors of the State Agricultural College, the establishment of State 

 nurseries to supply seedlings at cost, the acquisition of lands for State 



