Canadian Forestry Journal, February, 1919 



89 



who was present, was requested to apply the 

 only reasonable remedy by the engagement' of a 

 Forester with a free hand to bring up the pro- 

 vincial forest service to a more efficient stand- 

 ard. The Commissioner offered a counter pro- 

 position that the conference should show him 

 where new revenues could be obtained to sup- 

 port the new office. The financial aspect of the 

 proposed appointment constituted a temporary 

 impasse, which failed, however, to discourage 

 the conference or abate its determination. Mr. 

 F. C. Whitman, former president of the Associa- 

 tion, who acted as chairman, was authorized to 

 proceed with the organization of public opinion 

 through forming a provincial committee. This 

 body will endeavor to find a solution for the 

 financial problem involved, and as soon as pos- 

 sible the Foresty Association and its Nova Scotia 

 members and friends will renew its appeal to the 

 Government. 



In the important question of Civil Service 

 Reform, particularly as it affected the field staff 

 of the Dominion Forestry Branch, the Associa- 

 tion took an active part. A series of newspaper 

 articles was supplemented by a score of letters 

 to members of Parliament, many of which 

 evoked promises of support. After many years 

 of attack upon the political patronage system in 

 public appointments, it was a satisfaction to wit- 

 ness its final downfall and the institution of a 

 merit system. 



Advancing the Journal. 



Although the Forestry Journal was one of the 

 Association's first weapons in developing public 

 sentiment, it is felt that the influence of this 

 modest publication throughout Canada can again 

 bear emphasis. It acts as a clearing house of 

 information respecting the progress of forestry 

 and forest protection. It has attempted to bring 

 the layman into intelligent touch with the na- 

 tional aspects of conservation, the public signi- 

 ficance of experimental and research work, the 

 forestry movements in other lands and particu- 

 larly as affects the interests of the British 

 Empire. Monthly circulation is now over 8,000. 



Commencing with the January, 1919 issue, 

 the Journal takes another step forward in that 

 it will be printed on heavy coated paper 

 throughout, with illustrations much improved 

 and a new standard of contents involving special 

 articles on subjects of ])opular interest by writers 

 of special qualification. 



While the improved Journal will demand more 

 time for editorial preparation and greater ex- 

 pense in production, it is believed that these 



advances offer our only hope for making the 



magazine self-sustaining through advertising 



patronage, and more effective as a means of 

 developing membership. 



8,000 Members Now. 



The year 1918 was peculiarly adverse for 

 membership growth. The earlier months were 

 filled with menacing war news, and this gave 

 way at midsummer to a changed tide of events 

 which quite as markedly diverted public atten- 

 tion from purely national and civil matters such 

 as the upbuilding of a Forestry Association. The 

 influenza epidemic, in the fall months, again 

 dampened the hope of lifting the membership 

 strength tto the goal of expectation. The later 

 months of the year proved more responsive, so 

 that which much of the earlier work on member- 

 ship was neutralized, we end the year with a 

 clear increase of two thousand members. This 

 gives us a total of 8,000 on our strength, as 

 compared with 2,900 at the commencement of 

 the war. 



The finances of the Association are in good 

 shape, with a surplus of $919.91. Total receipts 

 for the year were $15,270.56, with expenditures 

 of $14,350.65. The common difficulties of ob- 

 taining money during war time were constantly 

 encountered. Private subscribers, chiefly pulp 

 and paper and lumber companies, who had been 

 given plenty of opportunity to investigate the 

 Association's work came to our aid to the extent 

 of $3,750. We have had the satisfaction of 

 seeing many firms doubling or otherwise increas- 

 ing their previous subscriptions. It is but fitting 

 that the thanks of the Association to these loyal 

 supporters should be expressed at this meeting. 



Fortified by the expressions of confidence on 

 the part of the limit holders, the Secrtary ap- 

 proached the Ontario Government and by the 

 aid of a small depuation secured from the Min- 

 ister of Lands, Forests and Mines, an und.'rtak- 

 ing to increase the Association's grant from $^00 

 to $1,000 in future. Similarly the Dominion 

 Government was asked to advance our 1918 

 grant of $3,000 to $4,000. and this was done. 

 New Brunswick also granted us $200 this year. 



The .Association had occasion to realize at 

 many junctures the deep concern and helpful 

 attitude of the President. Col. J. S. Dennis. 

 Exacting war duties in the United Stales and 

 later in Siberia prevented the personal contact 

 which otherwise would have been afforded, but 

 this did not interfere with such positive forms of 

 assistance as was involved in obtaining the Rail- 

 way Exhibition Car from the Canadian Pacific 

 Railway free of all charges. 



