Small Appropriation Allowed 



THE work of the Minnesota forest service will have to be 

 materially reduced this coming year due to the de- 

 creased appropriation allowed by the legislature which 

 just adjourned. 



Instead of the $75,000 annual appropriation allowed since 

 the forest law of 1911 was passed, the legislature this year cut 

 the amount to $40,000 annually. The House had fixed the 

 amount at $75,000, while the Senate had passed it at $40,000. 

 It was one of the matters that had to be settled in the con- 

 ference committee. When the bill was finally passed in both 

 Houses, the Senate provision had prevailed. 



Friends of forestry naturally deprecate the action of- the 

 legislature. It is well, however, to withhold all criticism. The 

 members of the legislature, elected by the people, are respon- 

 sible alone to the people. If, in their wisdom they thought it 

 best to curtail a work that has made rapid progress since 1911, 

 that is something for which they assume the entire respon- 

 sibility. 



At this time, the friends of forestry can only hope that there 

 will be no disastrous fires during the coming biennium, that the 

 seasons will be "wet." 



The work of the forest service will be hampered. Much 

 good work that has been started will have to stop. Just the 

 curtailments that will be necessary have not been determined 

 fully. There is a certain amount of fire prevention work that 

 must go on. But there is much of it that cannot possibly be 

 pursued with the small appropriation now available. For ex- 

 ample, it is likely that many of the patrolmen will have to be 

 relieved of their duties. 



There is a certain amount of supervisory work, looking after 

 the disposal of slash, inspecting the fire prevention work done 

 by the railroads, etc., that can go on. 



With the small amount of money available, the forest serv- 

 ice faces a most serious situation. Now is the time for every 



30 



