NATIOXAL FORE^r'T POLICIES ('05 



appropriation of $1,000,000 for protection against fire in co-operation 

 with the States ; but, it omits the provision included by both those 

 organizations which requires that before allotments are made to the 

 States the States themselves must meet certain standards for forest 

 perpetuation and protection, such standards to be fixed by the Federal 

 Government. In other words, the lumbermen are in favor of Federal 

 subsidies to the States without any strings attached (except that the 

 States must contribute equal amounts). Such a plan is intrinsically evil. 

 Later on, to be sure, the program contains the following statement : 



"Uncovered by the foregoing twelve principles of national bearing 

 are those questions of private and public responsibility or of police 

 power which because of varying conditions and the rights of States 

 should be decided locally in every instance, and be the subject of State 

 legislation, ;/ of any." 



Which means that the lumbermen, quite naturally, would prefer to 

 get along without any controlling legislation at all, if that were possible. 

 In case legislation is necessary, they want it to be local only. This 

 means, simply, that even if the States should legislate, the Nation would 

 have nothing whatever to say about the methods of expending national 

 funds donated for the national welfare. A nation-wide problem would 

 be referred to and decided by local authorities, if an\. Under whose 

 guidance, in most cases, would these local authorities act ? The iflea 

 is admirable — from the lumbermen's standpoint. 



Other suggested measures relate to forest surveys, forest research, 

 the acquisition of forest lands, and replanting, all of which have been 

 discussed previously and none of which are vital to the problem of 

 immediate importance. Incidentally, all of these measures are of profit 

 t(j the lumber industry. It is worth noting, perhaps, that in suggesting 

 the acquisition of lands it is recommended that the Federal ( lOvcrnment 

 should ])urchase only such lands as should be added to the National 

 Forests "to assure their best protection and management in the public 

 interest." Evidently no extensive acquisition by the Nation is advised. 

 In the case of both the Federal Government and the States, the advisa- 

 bility of acquiring largely cut-over lands is emi)hasized. 



Apparently when lands are to be acquired through condemnation, 

 only deforested lands are considered. This method of acquirement 

 has already been discussed. It locks the stable door after the horse 

 has slipped away, and is dangerous in the extreme unless accompanied 

 by such regulation as will prevent forest devastation when the timber 

 is cut. If so accompanied the measure is a proj)cr one. 



