THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST 119 



similar to that of other enterprises a business more greatly handi- 

 capped by long-deferred returns, risk of loss, uncertainty of future 

 prices, and continued current expense without current revenue. Only 

 escape from fire and high future stumpage prices will permit profit 

 at best. Otherwise, since the tax is definite and not upon income, the 

 forest grower will pay the community for the honor of providing it a 

 resource at his own expense. 



It is believed, however, that a more fortunate outcome is sufficiently 

 promised in this region of rapid growth if we remove the single fatal 

 handicap of uncertain confiscatory taxation. 



VIEWS OF EXPERT AUTHORITIES 



THEODORE EOOSEVELT: Second only in importance to good fire 

 laws well enforced is the enactment of tax laws which will permit the 

 perpetuation of existing forests by use. 



GIFFORD PINCHOT: Land bearing forests should be taxed annually 

 on the land value alone, and the timber crop should be taxed when 

 cut, so private forestry may be encouraged. 



NORTH AMERICAN CONSERVATION CONFERENCE, Washington, D. C.: 

 Believing that excessive taxation on standing timber privately owned 

 is a potent cause of forest destruction by increasing the cost of 

 maintaining growing forests, we agree in the wisdom and justice of 

 separating the taxation of timber land from the taxation of timber 

 growing upon it, and adjusting both in such manner as to encourage 

 forest conservation and forest growing. 



The private owners of land unsuited to agriculture, once forested 

 and now impoverished or denuded, should be encouraged by practical 

 instruction, adjustment of taxation, and in other proper ways, to 

 undertake the reforesting thereof. 



GIFFORD PINCHOT, 

 EGBERT BACON, 

 JAMES E. GARFIELD, 



Commissioners representing the United States. 

 SYDNEY FISHER, 

 CLIFFORD SIFTON, 

 HENRI S. BOLAND, 



Commissioners representing the Dominion of Canada. 

 BOMULTJ ESCOBAR, 

 MIGUEL A. DE QUEVEDO, 

 CARLOS SELLERIER, 

 Commissioners representing the Eepublic of Mexico. 



E. H. OUTERBRIDQE, 



Commissioner representing the Colony of Newfoundland. 



