70 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



It will be observed that nine commissions were appointed in 

 1912, that most of the smaller ones are wisely devoting their ener- 

 gies mainly to the trees that they have, and that nearly all want 

 more money. 



In addition to the municipalities which have a Shade Tree Com- 

 mission, Bergenfield, Hawthorne, Lodi, Lyndhurst, Madison and 

 Park Ridge are reported as being almost ready to fall into line. 



On the other side must be mentioned cities like Bridgeton, Cam- 

 den and Trenton which maintain efficient parks, yet do little for 

 their street trees. 



Not a few Shade Tree Commissions have come into being be- 

 cause of the ravages of the elm leaf beetle ; some have been formed 

 as a forlorn hope when the trees of a community failed without 

 apparent cause. New Jersey is committed to the Shade Tree Com- 

 mision idea. Under the authority conferred by the law of 1893 

 and its supplements a community with an active Shade Tree Com- 

 mission can get things done. Unfortunately the laws have been 

 patched and mended until there is frequent doubt regarding a 

 commission's real status, though practically they are found to 

 serve. As they have been copied by other States and as no better 

 plan has been suggested we have only to strive for improvement 

 in details. It goes without saying that money in reasonable amount 

 must be provided. No good thing can be had for nothing. 



NEEDED LEGISLATION. 



In two respects the laws need to be amended: I. So that a 

 Shade Tree Commission shall have undoubted authority to expend 

 any part of its appropriation on trees not planted by it (Sec. 339). 

 2. To remove the limitation on the amount that may be raised 

 by a general tax. (Sec. 339). Though neither of these points 

 has given any trouble to the older Shade Tree Commissions doubts 

 or objections have been raised by the legal advisers of several 

 communities. It is probable that a general revision and simpli- 

 fication of the laws will best satisfy all interests. The matter is in 

 the hands of a special committee of the State Shade Tree Feder- 

 ation. 



