THE FOREST SERVICE: WASHINGTON, D. C. 

 The Forest Survey 



In 1929 I was asked to direct the nationwide 

 survey (inventory) of the nation s forest resources 

 which was authorized by the McSweeney-McNary Forest 

 Research Act of May 22, 1928. I was very loathe to 

 leave the field of forest administration but agreed 

 to take the job on the assurance of the Chief For 

 ester that I could at a later time be considered 

 for return to administrative work. So, at the end 

 of 1929, I moved to Washington and was made the 

 Director of the Forest Survey,, 



Other countries, notably Sweden, Finland and 

 Norway, had already conducted such an inventory and 

 I studied their reports for suggestions as to how 

 we should go about the huge task. I wanted to go 

 to those countries for consultation with foresters 

 there, but the narrow-minded Buick car agency owner 

 who was then Secretary of Agriculture would not 

 approve the trip. 



My immediate bosses, Earle Clapp, head of the 

 Branch of Research, and Ray Marsh, his deputy, and 



