sumed within the State where they were grown. An 

 assured supply of timber is a matter of national con- 

 cern because it is vital to the standards and traditions 

 of American life. Without it the homes we need to 

 maintain the family life and environment which is 

 one of the most sacred of American institutions can 

 not be built. Without it the extension and improve- 

 ment of our basic national industry, agriculture, will 

 be critically handicapped. Without it many of our 

 most distinctive manufacturing industries, like furni- 

 ture making, and other industries of the most vital 

 consequence, like our railroads, will sooner or later 

 be seriously impaired. Reforestation is distinctly a 

 matter of national concern and the national govern- 

 ment should do everything it can to accomplish it. 



Through the vision of our leaders in conservation, 

 chief among whom stand President Roosevelt and 

 the present Forest Commissioner of Pennsylvania, the 

 Federal government took the first definite step to- 

 ward an assured supply of timber adequate for the 

 needs of the country through the creation of Na- 

 tional Forests. Every day demonstrates more clearly 

 the wisdom of this step and the need for National 

 Forest ownership on a much larger scale. For nearly 

 20 years the National Forests have represented the 

 only large element of stability in the whole timber 

 situation. They have been administered through 

 successive political changes with unwavering ad- 

 herence to the principles of continuous productivity 

 of forest lands, a sustained yield of timber, and the 

 protection of streamflow and other public interests. 

 Furthermore, every National Forest is like a settle- 



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