METHODS OF FOREST POLICY. 231 



state must interfere, therefore, wherever the inter- 

 ests of the future clearly demand it. 



What form shall this interference take ? What 

 shall be the policy of the state in regard to the 

 forest resources ? 



The answer will vary according to our concep- 

 tions of government functions, according to prac- 

 tical considerations of expediency, and according 

 to the character and location of the forest areas. 



In the first chapter we have endeavored to 

 develop a conception of governmental functions 

 based upon the logical proposition that the state is 

 to protect the broad interests of the many, the 

 community, against the inconsiderate use of prop- 

 erty by the few ; and we laid special stress upon the 

 necessity of including the interests of the future 

 community in this consideration, calling for the 

 exercise of providential functions on the part of 

 the state. 



While in principle this position may be regarded 

 as a self-evident logical sequence of the state idea 

 everywhere in application under differently devel- 

 oped conditions of government, the manner and 

 extent of exercising its functions will, of course, 

 vary. In the densely populated monarchical coun- 

 tries of Europe, with relatively scanty resources, a 

 much more direct and strict interference is called 

 for than in a country which has still plenty of 

 elbow room, with plenty of resources ; here it may 

 be expedient to leave adjustment to future con- 



