1G<) AMERICAN FORESTRY 



Gallinger. who has been actively in the service for this legislation since it was 

 first proposed. For the final success much credit is due to the work of Senator 

 Crane, whose wise counsel and service has always been available in its behalf. 

 On the Democratic side Senators Chamberlain, Fletcher, and Overman have 

 been particularly strong in their support. The text of the bill, as enacted, 

 follows: 



AN ACT 



To enable any State to cooperate with any other State or States, or with the United 

 States, for the protection of the watersheds of navigable streams, and to appoint 

 a commission for the acquisition of lands for the purpose of conserving the 

 navigability of navigable rivers. 



Be it etiacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 

 America in Congress assembled, That the consent of the Congress of the United States 

 is hereby given to each of the several States of the Union to enter into any agreement 

 or compact, not in conflict with any law of the United States, with any other State 

 or States for the purpose of conserving the forests and the water supply of the States 

 entering into such agreement or compact. 



Sec. 2. That the sum of two hundred thousand dollars is hereby appropriated 

 and made available until expended, out of any moneys in the National Treasury not 

 otherwise appropriated, to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with any 

 State or group of States, when requested to do so, in the protection from fire of the 

 forested watersheds of navigable streams; and the Secretary of Agriculture is hereby 

 authorized, and on such conditions as he deems wise, to stipulate and agree with any 

 State or group of States to cooperate in the organization and maintenance of a system 

 of fire protection on any private or state forest lands within such State or States and 

 situated upon the watershed of a navigable river: Provided, That no such stipulation 

 or agreement shall be made with any State which has not provided by law for a 

 system of forest-fire protection: Provided further, That in no case shall the amount 

 expended in any State exceed in any fiscal year the amount appropriated by that State 

 for the same purpose during the same fiscal year. 



Sec. 3. That there is hereby appropriated, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, 

 nineteen hundred and ten, the sum of one million dollars, and for each fiscal year 

 thereafter a sum not to exceed two million dollars for use in the examination, survey, 

 and acquirement of lands located on the headwaters of navigable streams or those 

 which are being or which may be developed for navigable purposes: Provided, That 

 the provisions of this section shall expire by limitation on the thirtieth day of June, 

 nineteen hundred and fifteen. 



Sec. 4. That a commission, to be known as the National Forest Reservation Com- 

 mission, consisting of the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary 

 of Agriculture, and two members of the Senate, to be selected by the President of 

 the Senate, and two members of the House of Representatives, to be selected by the 

 Speaker, is hereby created and authorized to consider and pass upon such lands as 

 may be recommended for purchase as provided in section six of this Act, and to fix 

 the price or prices at which such lands may be purchased, and no purchases shall be 

 made of any lands until such lands have been duly approved for purchase by said com- 

 mission: Provided, That the members of the commission herein created shall serve 

 as such only during their incumbency in their respective official positions, and any 

 vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the manner as the original appointment. 



Sec. 5. That the commission hereby appointed shall, through its president, annually 

 report to Congress, not later than the first Monday in December, the operations and 

 expenditures of the commission, in detail, during the preceding fiscal year. 



Sec. 6. That the Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized and directed to 

 examine, locate, and recommend for purchase such lands as in his judgment may be 

 necessary to the regulation of the flow of navigable streams, and to report to the 

 National Forest Reservation Commission the results of such examinations: Provided. 

 That before any lands are purchased by the National Forest Reservation Commission 

 said lands shall be examined by the Geological Survey and a report made to the 

 Secretary of Agriculture, showing that the control of such lands will promote or protect 

 the navigation of streams on whose watersheds they lie. 



Sec. 7. That the Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized to purchase, in the 

 name of the United States, such lands as have been approved for purchase by the 

 National Forest Reservation Commission at the price or prices fixed by said com- 

 mission: Provided, That no deed or other instrument of conveyance shall be accepted 

 or approved by the Secretary of Agriculture under this Act until the legislature of the 

 State In which the land lies shall have consented to the acquisition of such land 

 by the United States for the purpose of preserving the navigability of navigable streams. 



