200 Forestry Quarterly 



was no local association, then the application was made to the 

 supervisor direct, who could also issue free use permits for 

 wood up to twenty dollars in value. In the sale of timber, the 

 preference was for local use and export could be denied. The 

 timber was advertised, as is now the case, if the value was over 

 $100. The duties of the general force were chiefly to protect the 

 forests, to prevent fire and trespass, supervise special grazing 

 improvements (if there were any) and other general administra- 

 tive duties. Some detail has been given so as to leave a fairly 

 exact idea of the conditions at that time. 



Forest Service Inspection Districts 



The "Forest Reserves" were placed under the Forest Service, 

 February 1, 1905. 



Until the spring of 1907, this Land Office type of organization 

 was nominally continued by the Forest Service with some 

 changes; such as the addition of timber sale inspectors and the 

 granting of additional authority to supervisors. In 1907, Chief 

 Inspectors were appointed, but were superseded in 1908 by the 

 forest administrative districts. 



The main reason why the inspection system of 1907-08 was 

 not a success as a permanent organization was because supervisors 

 had too little authority and were inexperienced. The top notch 

 supervisor of today is better acquainted with policy and methods 

 than the chief inspector of 1907. Another drawback was the 

 necessity of chief inspectors taking up all reports with Washing- 

 ton and the fact that the office was saddled with June 11^ field 

 work which occupied at least half the time. But even today, the 

 district forester must "recommend" rather than make important 

 decisions. Then, too, the inspection form of organization was 

 not thoroughly tried out. It was in operation scarcely a year. 

 Who can say it would not have worked, if, after 'being given a 

 thorough trial, it had been modified to meet Western require- 

 ments ? 



Western Administrative Districts 



In 1908, six administrative districts were established at con- 

 venient centers in the West, and, in 1913, a seventh district was 

 added for the Appalachian areas, Arkansas, Florida, and Okla- 

 homa. The establishment of this seventh district unquestionably 



' Forest Homestead Act of June 11, 1906. 



