Matters Before the Legislature 



I 



THE Minnesota Legislature is hard at work grinding 

 away at important legislation. There are several mat- 

 ters now before the Legislature which are of especial 

 interest to the friends of forestry. 



The first of these is the matter of appropriations for the 

 Forest Service and for the building of trails and firebreaks in 

 the state parks. The Forest Service is, in reality, asking for 

 much less money this year than it did two years ago. There 

 is an increase in the actual appropriation for the service itself. 

 That is an item that is needed and ought not to be overlooked 

 by those legislators who are seeking economy. It is econom- 

 ical to take adequate measures to protect the state's property. 

 Two years ago considerable money was appropriated for pur- 

 chasing land in Itasca State Park. Although the same sit- 

 tion exists in Burntside State Park, no appropriation is 

 asked for the acquisition of lands. The friends of Forestry 

 will do well to keep their attention centered on the work of the 

 Legislature. Tell your representatives of the great need of 

 the Forest Service. Additional money for the fire preven- 

 tion work is an absolute necessity. 



The second matter now being considered by the Legislature 

 is the bill calling for a soil survey. The people of Minnesota, 

 in passing No. 9, indicated clearly that they wanted non-agri- 

 cultural state lands set aside for state forests. The only way 

 the will of the people can be carried out is by providing for a 

 soil survey. This is to be taken by agricultural experts. Then, 

 the non-agricultural lands can be set aside for the purposes 

 desired, by the electorate of Minnesota. The amount of ap- 

 propriation called for is small, namely $25,000, to be expended 

 over a period of two and a half years. 



