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marked degree of interest as each man presented a paper looking at the 

 situation from a different angle and each gave us something well worth 

 our consideration and careful thought. 



This afternoon we are to turn away for a while from state lines to 

 consider the subject from a national point of view. Our general subject is 

 "National Forestry Policy". The first speaker is known the country over 

 because of his work in the field. I want to introduce to you Lieutenant- 

 Colonel Henry S. Graves, Forester of the United States, who will talk 

 upon the forestry situation. (Applause) 



LT.-COL. HENRY S. GRAVES: Ladies and gentlemen, the forest 

 situation is of peculiar interest to Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. All three 

 states have a pressing problem in the production of home grown forests. 

 They are also vitally concerned in the forest situation in other parts of 

 the country, for they are large consumers of lumber and other wood prod- 

 ucts and already the greater part of what they use is brought in from 

 other states. 



At this time public attention is focused on the forest question as never 

 before. This is due partly to the lessons of the war, which have empha- 

 sizd the national importance of all of our natural resources; it is due 

 also to the very high prices of lumber and of articles manufactured from 

 wood, to difficulties in obtaining certain raw products in adequate quan- 

 tities, and to local consequences of forest destruction that are making 

 themselves felt in an increasing degree. 



This conference is very significant, for it represents, to my mind, an 

 inquiry on the part of the public as to how our forests are being 

 handled whether they are being safeguarded and perpetuated, and if 

 not, what constructive plans are in contemplation to meet the situation. 



The Service of Forest. Forests render an indispensable service in three 

 ways : 



(a) In the production of materials for construction and for the man- 

 ufacture of a multitude of articles essential in the industries and in our 

 every-day life. 



(b) In the utilization of land that would otherwise be idle, thus 

 making possible the maintenance of local industries and the building 

 up of communities. 



(c) In the protection of mountain slopes, the conservation of sources 

 of water, and the provision of other general public benefits. 



The central states are interested in forests and forestry in all three of 

 these aspects. In some ways the problems of forestry are more pressing 

 in this region than in some other sections, and if the citizens of these 

 states wish their various industrial needs to be met, it is essential that they 

 interest themselves in our forest problems in both their local and national 

 phases. 



Conditions in the Central States. Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, together 

 with the neighboring portions of Michigan and Wisconsin, constitute 

 the most important center of wood manufacturing industries in the 

 country, that is the industries making vehicles, furniture, railway cars, 

 tools, planing-mill products, and the like. About one-third of the total 

 capital invested and about one-third of the wage earners in the wood- 



