General Conditions. 459 



the true democratic doctrine of restricting State ac- 

 tivity to police functions, and the doctrine of non- 

 interference with private rights, as well as the idea of 

 State rights in opposition to federal power and author- 

 ity all these characteristics of a democratic govern- 

 ment are impediments to a concerted action and 

 stable policy. 



That, in spite of these antagonistic interests, con- 

 ditions and doctrines, substantial progress toward 

 establishing at least a federal forest policy has been 

 made, is due to the fact that the American, in spite 

 of his reputation as a materialistic, selfish oppor- 

 tunist, is really an idealist; that he responds readily 

 to patriotic appeals; that, in spite of his rabid na- 

 tionalism, he is willing to learn from the experiences 

 of other nations; that, indeed, he is anxious to be 

 educated. Finally, much credit is due to the men 

 who with single purpose devoted their lives to 

 the education of their fellow citizens in this 

 direction. 



It must, to be sure, be added that remarkable 

 changes in the political attitude of the people have 

 taken place in the last 30 years since the propaganda 

 of forestry began; changes, partly perhaps induced by 

 that propaganda, which have aided this movement, 

 and which, if they persist, promise much for the future 

 development of forest policies. A decidedly pater- 

 nalistic, if not socialistic attitude has, lately been 

 taken by the federal government; and by skilful 

 construction of the Constitution as regards the right 

 to regulate interstate relations, has led to an expan- 

 sion of federal power in various directions. A similar 



