FREE USE OF TIMBER AND STONE. 



As provided for on page 13, the supervisor of each Forest annually 

 on April 1 will recommend to the district forester the 



Limitation of cut. . A e ^ i i ir 



maximum amount of timber which may properly be 

 cut under free use during the ensuing fiscal year, which amount shall 

 form a part of the maximum cut for the Forest. The free use maxi- 

 mum shall be based upon silvicultural conditions, the provisions of 

 the working plan if one has been prepared, the amounts which have 

 been cut under free use during past years, and the probable amount 

 which will be needed during the ensuing year and which may be cut 

 under the existing policy. The procedure in the district office will 

 follow that outlined on page 14. 



The free use of timber and stone on National Forests may be granted 

 to bona fide settlers, miners, residents, and prospectors for minerals, 

 for firewood, fencing, building, mining, prospecting, and other 

 domestic purposes. 



The object of free use is to assist prospectors in their work and to 

 object of free use encoura g e and assist settlers who have not on their 



own land or claims, or on lands controlled by them, a 

 sufficient and accessible supply of material suitable for the purposes 

 named in the law. 



Whether an applicant is entitled to free use must be decided by the 



proper Forest officer. In all cases not clearly covered 

 or T refus h ed m ******* V the letter of the law and the regulations he will be 



guided by their spirit, especially as indicated by the 

 expression " Those who may not reasonably be required to purchase, " 

 and by the distinction between public or personal and commercial use. 

 A member of a corporation is not necessarily debarred from free use of 

 fuel for his own home, although his ability to secure it from another 

 source will be considered, especially if the Forest supply is limited 

 and in demand by more needy applicants. Residents of towns and 

 villages engaged in business or earning a livelihood are reasonably 

 expected to purchase building material for town dwellings and other 

 home structures, and, except in small villages, for fuel. Settlers, 

 particularly under the Forest homestead act, who have not yet 

 unproved their homes, may receive a liberal allowance for their own 

 use. There is no more reason for giving a hotel keeper or merchant 

 timber solely to build or warm his hotel or store than giving him a 

 stock of goods, yet it need not be refused the proprietor of a small 

 establishment wnen it will be used chiefly by himself and his family. 

 Prospectors may be assisted to develop their properties, but owners 

 of producing mines and those who are able to employ several or many 

 men on wages will be required to pay.. Well-to-do stockmen and 

 owners of large ranches may reasonably be required to purchase. 



67 



