THE FOUR AND THE FOUR THOUSAND 



Bv Bristow Adams 

 Cornell University, Ithaca, N. V. 



At the annual meeting of the Society of American Foresters, held 

 in New York, January 14. 1920, much was said about the "recalcitrant 

 four." They had taken exception to a widespread newspaper distri- 

 bution of a committee report before the Society had a chance to see 

 it, and had the courage to stand on their action, which was unanimously 

 supported by the New York Section. 



Because of the need of closing the New York meeting before dis- 

 cussion was had on the report, and because "the Four" did not have 

 time to bring out fully the motives of their action, this paper is offered. 

 Not that the Four were unable or unwilling to state their own case 

 or to stand upon it as stated ! Yet one basic fact was not brought out : 

 They wished to strengthen the report. In connection with their wish, 

 this paper seeks to answer a query made at the meeting — "whether the 

 Society wishes to take any action that will guide its officers and com- 

 mittees in a similar situation in the future, should it arise?" 



The report of the Committee for the Application of Forestry should 

 have been submitted to a referendum in the first place, to gain a strong 

 concensus of opinion concerning it. Then that opinion would have 

 formed the program of the Society, with the Society's backing, instead 

 of appearing as committee report, with variations or reservations 

 among the committee. 



Instead of that, what was done? The committee, before the Societv 

 had a chance to see the report, put the matter «to a trial by newspaper, 

 instead of to a judgment of foresters. On Mr. Pinchot's statement, the 

 published report went to about four thousand newspapers nearly two 

 weeks before the Society saw it. Of seventeen members of the New 

 York Section assembled on the night of January 13, only three had 

 seen the report. Only one of these had had an opportunity to read it, 

 and he gained that chance only by obtaining a copy from one of the 

 four thousand papers. 



What was the result? Before the Society had been given the oppor- 

 tunity to stand back of the report, an opposition lumber press had been 

 able to put in type bitter attacks against it. Then the Society proceeded 

 to still further muzzle its guns and w^ithhold its ammunition until the 

 116 



