234 ECONOMICS OF FORESTRY 



ciated, we have experienced in regard to our white 

 pine supply. It has taken twenty years to force 

 this realization upon the producers, in spite of the 

 fact that the federal government made a creditable 

 effort to ascertain and publish the facts. And even 

 now, when there is no more doubt of the fact that 

 these most important supplies are bound to be 

 practically exhausted in a short time, there is no 

 very extensive self-interest aroused to adjust the 

 balance of supply and demand, and to anticipate 

 the shortage, simply because self-interest works 

 only for the present and does not concern itself 

 with a distant future. 



We must, then, admit that, even with regard to 

 supply forests, the position of the state may be 

 properly a different one from that which it would 

 be proper and expedient to take toward other 

 industrial activities. 



When, in addition to the mere material function, 

 the immaterial benefits of a forest cover enter into 

 the question or become paramount, there can be 

 no doubt that both principle and expediency call 

 for timely exercise of state activity. The so-called 

 protection forests, therefore, which by virtue of 

 their location on steep mountain slopes or on 

 sand dunes, or wherever their influence on soil 

 conditions, waterflow, and climatic factors can 

 be shown to be superior to their material value, 

 must claim a more intimate and direct atten- 

 tion by the state ; for here protection of present 



