94 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



rather than as Government officials. If they can do this, as I am sure 

 they can, much will be gained for the profession. 



The all-absorbing question which now confronts us is how to prevent 

 the devastation of forest lands. It is a question, moreover, which has 

 passed beyond the stage of discussion between the forester and the lum- 

 berman. It is now a question for adjustment between the public and 

 the lumberman, and the forester's duty is to crystalize public opinion 

 upon a sound program. In the end, what the public decides should be 

 done, will be done. I, for one, believe firmly that foresters will unite 

 upon a wise plan and that the public will approve and apply that plan 

 without undue delay. I believe just as firmly that the application of 

 that plan will place the lumber industry upon a basis of stability, pros- 

 perity, and public service hitherto unknown. 



In order to focus attention upon some definite plan for stopping 

 forest devastation, various committees were appointed with instruc- 

 tions to prepare recommendations for discussion and action by the 

 Society. The Committee for the Application of Forestry considered 

 the problem as a whole, and from a broad standpoint. Its findings 

 have recently been announced and, I think, are worthy of careful con- 

 sideration by every forester. Although not all of us shall agree with 

 its recommendations let me suggest that the report be criticised in a 

 constructive spirit, and that objections be supplemented by concrete 

 alternatives. As the principles advanced by this committee are not 

 such as may be approved or rejected off-hand, it might be well for the 

 Society to act only after full and free discussion, considering at the 

 same time the various other programs which have been or mav be 

 formulated. The pages of the Journal of Forestry will, I feel sure, 

 be open to untrammeled discussion. I take this opportunity to thank 

 its managing editor, Raphael Zon, for his valuable and pertinent sug- 

 gestions to the committee, for his steadfast attitude of fairness, and 

 for his thoroughgoing insistence upon his right to edit a free press. 

 While Zon's professional work is as yet largely unappreciated he has 

 quietly taken his place beside the few big foresters of this country. 



Other committees from the Society, whose recommendations will 

 soon be published, have considered the subjects of forest taxation, 

 forest insurance, and forest loans, approaching these important prob- 

 lems from the somewhat new standpoint of the public's interest in 

 the management of private timberlands. Committees are also engaged 

 in outlining a scheme for the better business organization of the Society 

 (including the management of the Journal) and in preparing a plan 



