34 



THE CHAIRMAN: I have observed your close attention as our na- 

 tional forester gave to us this illuminating paper. Many of the points 

 which Colonel Graves has raised here are to be considered in special 

 papers. I am sure that some of you would like to ask some questions. 

 There will be an opportunity later in the afternoon for this. The next 

 speaker is Mr. J. G. Peters, whose subject is "Co-operation Between 

 Federal Government and States." (Applause) 



MR. J. G. PETERS : Ladies and gentlemen, the program which Colonel 

 Graves has presented is very practical. Perhaps the most important 

 feature of it is co-operation, and that is the feature I shall deal with, 

 especially as it applies to the states and the Federal Government. 



The progress of any forestry program will depend, in general, upon 

 the extent of co-operation between the private owner, the State, and the 

 Federal Government. Each has an obligation, and each must realize this 

 in an adequate way before the timber supply problem can begin to be 

 solved. In other words, to face the question in a practical manner, the 

 success of the undertaking is going to vary with the amount of money 

 available, for upon this depends whether we shall continue to go along 

 with the customary meager funds and relatively small accomplishment, or 

 whether we shall take hold in man fashion and strive to have something 

 to show for our efforts in the next generation that will really be worth 

 while . This requires adequate appropriations by the Federal Government 

 and the states and adequate participation on the part of private forest 

 owners. 



The Federal Government by reason of its centralized authority and 

 its ability to raise funds is the natural leader in such a movement and 

 should, of course, give liberal financial assistance. It has started in cer- 

 tain lines in a small way. With a larger public demand, that is bound to 

 be made, congress will be obliged to take the necessary adequate action. 



The interest of the Federal Government is very great. Not only must 

 it protect and manage its own forest lands, the National Forests, but by 

 reason of the general character of the problems of timber supply and 

 water conservation, which affect the entire nation, it also should assist 

 in protecting and encouraging timber production on other lands. Consider 

 this with reference to the states of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and the rest 

 of the Middle West. None of these states has an adequate timber supply ; 

 they alone can not furnish their timber needs. It is a matter of concern 

 to them how these needs are going to be supplied and they are vitally in- 

 terested in what other states may do. They are interested, too, in seeing 

 the Government extend its aid to them and other states and strive to insure 

 all the states timber for the future. 



The most important lines of co-operation between the Government and 

 the states, where co-operative effort is almost essential if results commen- 

 surate with our needs are to be obtained, include the following : 



(1) Acquisition of public forests. 



(2) Protection against forest fires. 



(3) Reforestation of denuded lands. 



(4) Conservative cutting. 



(5) Farm forestry. 



