GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND PEOTECTION. 63 



lis order relates both to material prepared for distribution to a mailing list 

 newspapers and newspaper writers, and to articles officially prepared for 



iblicntion in a single newspaper. It does not prohibit district foresters and 

 supervisors from furnishing information which may be sought by newspaper 

 men for immediate use concerning Forest Service work; in other words, such 

 information as would properly be furnished anyone asking for it is not to be 

 refused newspaper men. Information should not be furnished concerning mat- 

 ters pending before the Secretary or the Forester for decision or which might 

 develop differences of a controversial nature between the Forest Service and any 

 other bureau or department of the Government. 



It is desirable that all proper opportunities should be afforded the public to 

 understand the work of the Service and the principles and application of for- 

 estry. Controversy, self-advertisement, and partisan discussion of questions of 

 policy must, however, always be avoided, as well as criticisms of any other 

 bureau or department of the Government. Both district foresters and super- 

 visors should be accessible to newspaper men and respond to legitimate demands 

 for information, while exercising discretion and tactfulness in furnishing in- 

 formation. 



Because of the necessity which often exists to furnish information in the dis- 

 tricts regarding matters on which the public should be rightly informed without 

 the delay which would be involved in submitting material to Washington for 

 approval, the Secretary of Agriculture has authorized the district foresters to 

 furnish statements for newspaper use when in their judgment delay would be 

 detrimental to the interests of the Forest Service. 



Material for Technical and Other Periodical Publications. 



All articles written by members of the Forest Service as individuals for any 

 periodical must be submitted to the Forester before they are offered for pub- 

 lication. 



Addresses. 

 General Order No. 135 of the Department of Agriculture provides as follows : 



Before incurring any expense, salary, or otherwise, in connection with 

 attendance upon any conventions or meetings of associations of any kind, 

 officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture must in each 

 case obtain in advance specific authority from the Secretary. 



Subsequent to this order the Secretary of Agriculture granted authority to 

 the district foresters to authorize informal addresses before local commercial 

 clubs, granger societies, or other small or unadvertised meetings when the re- 

 quest is received too late to permit application by letter to Washington. In the 

 case of important meetings, conventions, and, in general, occasions which in- 

 volve formal participation by the Forest Service or which involve anything more 

 than an incidental expenditure of time and money, a specific authorization of 

 attendance must be obtained from the Secretary of Agriculture, through the 

 Forester. 



The Secretary of Agriculture has also authorized the attendance of one rep- 

 resentative of the Forest Service at meetings of Forest users when these do 

 not constitute gatherings of an organization, and at meetings of stock associa- 

 tions when attendance is for the purpose of transacting National Forest busi- 

 ness, without securing special permission in advance. 



Letters requesting the authorization of the Secretary for attendance at meet- 

 ings by members of the Service will be prepared and filed in the Office of the 

 Editor, which will keep a record of addresses made at all meetings by members 

 of the Forest Service, except meetings of Forest users and stock associations 

 which Forest officers may attend for the purpose of transacting National Forest 

 business. All persons making addresses other than those covered by the above 

 exception will, immediately after the meeting, submit a report (Form 329) to 

 the Forester, through the District Forester or chief of branch, stating the char- 

 acter of the meeting, approximate attendance, the results believed to have been 

 secured, and other matters of a similar nature. 



PROTECTION FROM FIRE. 



Need for Protection. 



Practically all of the resources of the National Forests are subject to severe 

 injury, or even to entire destruction, by fire. Besides the diect damage which 

 fire may x do to merchantable timber, to the forage crop, and to watershed cover, 



