SOME COMMENTS ON THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 



OF THE SOCIETY 



By J. S. Whipple 



The following is my estimate of the report submitted by Mr. Pinchot 

 and his committee under date of November 1, 1919 : 



There can be no difference of opinion about the facts set forth in the 

 first section headed "The Facts, Summary," except that many believe 

 (and I am one of them) that the consumption by all means of de- 

 struction which includes fire is more than three times as much as the 

 annual reproduction. 



All will agree with the second section of the report, "The Forest 

 Situation." 



The statements in the third section, "A Timber Shortage," are 

 equally true. 



Section 4, "Timber supplies are decreasing," etc., is all well stated 

 and will be approved of by nearly everyone as stating the facts, except 

 as to the last paragraph. It is true, "efforts might be made to bridge 

 the gap in three ways," as suggested, but only the last mentioned way 

 will be efficient. The consumption will not be reduced and we cannot 

 import more than we are now receiving ; therefore, growing new for- 

 ests is the only way. Every effort possible should be put forth to 

 show the necessity of planting forests, and States and the National 

 Government should assist in making it possible to plant on a sufficiently 

 large scale to make the future in respect to an ample timber supply 

 safe, by doing at least three things: (A) relief from taxation; (B) 

 furnishing seedling trees to those who will plant, free of cost; (C) 

 each State and the National Government leading and showing the way 

 by immediately planting up their own waste land. Those States that 

 own none of such lands should acquire a large amount and plant trees 

 upon it. 



To illustrate, the State of New York has expended a hundred and 

 twenty-five million dollars on an enlarged canal, from which there 

 will probably never be any considerable benefit and no return for the 

 money expended. Had the State used that vast sum of money in 

 planting the six million barren acres in the State with commercial 



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