A NATIONAL PLAN FOE AMERICAN FORESTRY 1617 



also forestry problems which are of a national or regional character. 

 Technical knowledge is needed on all phases of forestry to guide the 

 work efficiently and prevent serious mistakes. 



Research work of the Forest Service has not kept pace with the 

 authority granted by the McSweeney-McNary Act, due to lack of 

 funds. Adequate financing is needed to carry out the program out- 

 lined to 1938. It is now apparent, however, that the maximum limita- 

 tions set up in the McSweeney-McNary Act represent no more than 

 a satisfactory beginning if the need for research is met on an adequate 

 basis. Certain forest-research work that has been authorized has not 

 yet been started. Practically nothing has been done toward setting 

 up an adequate forest experiment station in the central Rocky 

 Mountain region, nor has any attempt been made toward establishing 

 the stations authorized for Alaska, Hawaii, or the West Indies. 

 Expansion and speeding up of certain lines of research is of immediate 

 importance and amply justifiable as an emergency measure. 



EROSION AND 8TREAMFLOW INVESTIGATIONS 



Of foremost importance at this time is the need for studies of the 

 relationship between forest cover and erosion and streamflow con- 

 ditions as a basis for erosion control and streamflow regulation. 



A bill similar to that introduced in the Seventy-second Congress 

 (H.R. 4608) which provided for an additional section in the Mc- 

 Sweeney-McNary Forest Research Act to cover erosion-streamflow 

 investigations on forest, range, and other wild lands should be 

 enacted. The legislation should provide an authorization for annual 

 appropriations of not more than $500,000 until 1938, and additional 

 amounts thereafter as needed. 



FOREST SURVEY 



Since work on the forest survey, a Nation-wide study, was begun 

 in 1930, it has become apparent that its maximum value cannot be 

 attained unless the job is completed in a relatively short period of 

 time. 



The results of the forest survey are urgently needed for such things 

 as land-use planning and in fact are already being used for this pur- 

 pose. The importance of accelerating the work is being strongly 

 urged by States, counties, and other agencies. They recognize the 

 pressing need for such an inventory and analysis as the basis for the 

 formulation of public policies and programs. 



The present authorization of $250,000 should be increased to 

 $500,000. Provision should also be made for keeping the data 

 current indefinitely, at a probable cost of $200,000 annually. 



LAND CLASSIFICATION 



The general land-use situation is one of the most critical of the 

 national internal problems. Prompt and intelligent action based 

 upon a clear understanding of the uses for which different classes of 

 land are best suited is essential in determining the National land-use 

 policy. Classification of our existing and potential forest land 

 according to the use to which it is best adapted is an important part 

 of the whole vexing problem. The funds needed for the forestry part 

 of such a program should begin at $75,000, the first year, and increase 



