Forest Service Revenue and Organization 189 



Forest Service Deficit 



Under present conditions, the Forest Service costs about twice 

 what it earns. This condition exists after eleven years of adminis- 

 tration. The deficit is not quite so serious as might at first glance 

 appear because part of the appropriation is spent on permanent 

 improvements ($400,000 last year) and on investigative work of 

 great value to the country; this scientific work benefits the Na- 

 tional Forests as well as private companies and individuals. This 

 constructive research is like that of the Bureau of Plant Industry, 

 which should never be expected to return a direct revenue. Nat- 

 urally, it is vital that public service should not be discarded 

 because of a mere failure to pay expenses. Protection of valuable 

 timber is an economy rather than an extravagance. There can 

 be no skimping in fire protection. In the general administration 

 of the National Forests there could be a substantial saving, but 

 not enough to change the balance sheet ; such a saving could only 

 be effected by a careful study of administrative and executive con- 

 ditions. This phase will be discussed later in this article. 



When it comes to increasing the revenue, it is here that the 

 Forest Service (or perhaps Congress) may be justly criticised. 

 The National Forests can be and should be self-supporting, be- 

 ginning with the next fiscal year. American forests are unique, 

 of all national forests, in their deficit. Even in British India 

 there is a handsome net revenue. It may Ibe that the changes 

 suggested must wait a few years before attainment, but with such 

 a cataclysm as is now going on in Europe, economy in the United 

 States Government is desirable. Special taxes are being levied ; 

 there is even talk of increasing the income tax and of having an 

 increased tariff. The present administration is faced with a 

 large deficit. Is it not logical, therefore, to have the Forest 

 Service take the lead (rather than lag behind) in an economical 

 policy indicated by administrative and national needs? To wipe 

 out the present deficit in Forest Service administration is not so 

 difficult as might be imagined by an outsider. Politics alone stand 

 in the way. It is well known that the prices of current timber 

 sales are based upon careful appraisals and that the aim is to 

 secure the full commercial value of the product. Curiously 

 enough, this policy does not hold true for grazing or for special 



