The Need for Action 29 
Finally, as has been said, there is and there will be, until 
this problem is solved, an appreciable and increasing addition 
to the mounting cost of every commodity of life, for directly 
or indirectly each one is affected by the scarcity of forest 
products. 
Therefore every citizen of the State is directly and vitally 
concerned to inform himself and to see that suitable action 
is taken by the State authorities. A comprehensive plan for 
reforestation should be formulated, agreed upon, and put into 
execution. Forest laws must be revised and new laws enacted. 
Better treatment of private woodlands, better methods in log- 
ging, milling, and preservative treatment of timber must be 
required, or there is no hope of prolonging the use of the 
present-day timber to bridge the gap while the seedlings of 
today are growing into the merchantable timber of the future. 
Above all there is need of the driving power of a united public 
opinion, determined that New York shall not suffer for the lack 
of forests for all her future needs. . 
The people who have the most at stake are the manufacturers 
of wooden products in all lines. Their industries are in a 
position of increasing difficulty. They have organizations 
which enable them to present their wishes effectively. They 
are, or they should be, the best informed as to the reality of 
the need for action. New York has talked of forest replenish- 
ment for fifty years. With every additional year of delay the 
difficulties and the ultimate losses are multiplying. 
Business demanded the barge canal, and saw that it was com- 
pleted. If business now demands the perpetuation of the State 
timber supply, it can bring about the conditions which are 
needed to draw from the forest soils of New York the potential 
wealth now going to waste. 
The war is over. The economic affairs of the States and 
the Nation must be put upon foundations built broad enough 
and strong enough for the needs of the greater America yet 
to come. New York should be the leader in this essential form 
of economic reconstruction. 
