228 Forestry Quarterly 



the unit the less can be the personal contact of the supervisor 

 with field problems unless he maintains a chief of staff to handle 

 much of his routine. Such an organization might be top-heavy 

 and costly. In commenting upon the present inspection system, 

 Dr. Fernow stated : 



"As regards inspection, there seems to be little doubt that it 

 should be carried on by separate system and not by the assistant 

 district forester. In inspection there are two principles to fol- 

 low : either to have an inspector who is familiar with the locality, 

 which is an advantage in a way, or to have some one from the 

 outside come in, which prevents personal bias to some extent." 



Under the organization proposed, it is evident that two kinds 

 of inspection are proposed, one local inspection, really the most 

 important, hut by a man not connected with administrative work; 

 second, administrative specialists' inspection, by experts from 

 Washington who would not have local prejudices. 



Professor Roth thinks the present organization of the Forest 

 Service is good. He feared that the establishment of the district 

 offices had some elements of danger, such as mere duplication. 

 There was danger, too, of the organization being top-heavy and 

 being turned into red tape factories, but he feels that the men 

 have worked out of it and that perhaps more districts would be 

 a help. He is not sure. He says : 



"In any case, you follow the general principle and as you have 

 done so far, — central office, district offices, supervisors' offices, 

 protective districts and inspection. You are drifting and of 

 necessity. As markets give you a chance to practise more and 

 more extensive forestry, you need more help to care for busi- 

 ness and there is need of detail knowledge for the man doing it. 

 Various combinations are possible, and advisable, even on the 

 same forest. One ranger district may call for a competent 

 'forester' and thus become a 'revier' regardless of any plan or 

 policy. Another part of the same forest may go for twenty 

 years merely as a group of protective units. In the end . it all 

 comes to this: (1) Head office which is responsible, directive 

 and helpful in gathering and disbursing knowledge; (2) inspec- 

 tion as the eye and mouth of No. 1 ; Supervisor who is the unit 

 of all administration." 



In regard to the specific question as to whether assistant dis- 

 trict foresters should inspect their own work. Professor Roth 

 states : 



