134 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



The plant physiologist take notice ! 



The mistaken sponge theory of the forest floor and the discarded 

 health-exhaling oxygen theory, of course, also play a role. 



We regret that the evidently good intentions of the author and the 

 publisher to educate their people in an appreciation of the value of a 

 forest cover have misled them into excess. We only hope that the 

 article will not fall into the hands of our antagonists, whose mirth it 

 would justly provoke. 



The professional forester, nevertheless, like any other philosopher, 

 will hold that forest influences exist in all directions claimed, but we 

 are not sure as to degree and extent, and besides there are other factors 

 involved which it is not fit to overlook. 



In this connection we call attention to the contribution to this ques- 

 tion furnished by the Indian Government, briefed on page 122 of this 

 number. 



B. E. F. 



Progressive Step by Western Pine Manufacturers' Association 



Early in December the Western Pine Manufacturers' Association 

 announced its acceptance of the basic eight-hour day. At the same 

 time it was announced that about 20 men would be sent to the Uni- 

 versity of Washington this winter to study modern systems of labor 

 employment and management and efficiency management in general. 

 There have been, here and there, minor examples of modern industrial 

 management in the lumber industry, but this is the first acceptance of 

 these enlightened principles by an important section of the industry. 

 For the most part forest industry, though often equipped with efficient 

 machines, due to the enterprise and activity of the machinery houses, 

 has otherwise struggled along with the industrial methods of a half cen- 

 tury in the past. The discovery of modern industrial management was 

 bound to come eventually, but we believe in this case the day was has- 

 tened by an efficient association secretary (who is a trained forester), 

 by contact during the past few years with the very efficient leaders of 

 the Missoula district of the Forest Service, by the lumber industry 

 study conducted by the Service, and by contact of late with economists 

 connected with the State councils of defense, who have been making a 

 careful study of labor conditions, as a result of strike troubles of the 

 past few months. 



Altogether the announcement is one of the most important affecting 

 the lumber industry in recent years. If the adopted policy is intelli- 



