Comment 587 



in the next issue bring a discussion of the situation by the present 

 Superintendent of Forests. 



One of our well-informed correspondents expresses himself 

 on the same situation as follows: 



We think of New York as a state of upheavals, but the fact that 

 the Constitutional Convention in session the past summer scarcely 

 recommended any change in the Constitution adopted twenty 

 years ago shows that some of its representative bodies are not 

 easily moved. 



Foresters have long looked upon the great Forest Preserve 

 as a half -filled function and that practical forestry should be 

 applied to the areas not necessarily required as strictly protective 

 forests. The idea of a state letting the private owner cut to the 

 extreme, while itself cuts none, does not seem compatible. The 

 proper or regulated cut of both would produce the same yield 

 and greater indirect benefits. 



If the press of New York is a reflection of public opinion the 

 people are not yet willing to trust itself to handle its own 

 property. The argument may be advanced that its neighboring 

 states are cutting and beginning the application of forestry, but 

 these states do not have anything like the extent of state-owned 

 forests. The development was different and the past history 

 more secure. 



The advance in New York has been no less noteworthy than in 

 other states, and there has not been a scandal in its administra- 

 tion for ten years. The trespasses have been reduced from about 

 $50,000 per year to a few hundred dollars ; the land compromises 

 have been set aside or are in process of determination ; the future 

 prospect looks good, but there has not yet been any continuity of 

 administration. 



The people do not seem to distrust their ability to manage their 

 property, but there is much sentiment in the forest regions, great 

 centers of population which look at it as a playground; and a 

 feeling that stability of organization should be first demonstrated. 



The success of the efforts of the Convention can hardly be 

 measured, because it suffered defeat at the November election by 

 a majority of 540,000, which is said to be the most overwhelming 



