174 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



yellow pine abroad reduced the supply in the Northern 

 markets, where it had previously held sway as a strong 

 rival of the Northern white and Norway pine, hemlock 



and other timber. 



* * * * 



UNEXPECTED assistance came in February to the 

 campaign of American lumbermen for the right 

 to cooperate in preserving standing timber, from 

 no less a source than President Charles R. Van Hise. of 

 hc University o f Wisconsin. 



His report to the lumber industry in one of its most 

 vital points came in his address before the Wisconsin 

 Commercial Congress, when he declared that an amend- 

 ment to the Sherman anti-trust act was vital to the busi- 

 neu future of America. The lumbermen of the country 

 in recent hearing before the Federal Trade Commission 

 declared that they believed that the conservation of 

 American forests could best be obtained by governmental 

 recognition of the fact that the lumberman should be 



allowed to cooperate in curtailing lumber production to 

 an extent which would bring a reasonable profit on 

 stumpage. At present, owing to the competition and lack 

 of such cooperation, it was claimed that lumber is being 

 cut in the most wasteful fashion at an actual loss, the 

 cream taken and the less valuable left. The lumbermen 

 believe that cooperation under Federal regulation should 

 be permitted to force proper conservation methods in 

 cutting timber, and thus protect the forests for the future. 

 With this view President Van Hise agreed, though not 

 specifically mentioning the lumber industry, when he de- 

 clared that the first section of the Sherman law should 

 be so amended as to mean "restraint of trade that is 

 detrimental to the public welfare." He said this was the 

 only solution of the problems relating to big business. 

 The retention of competition, permission for cooperation 

 and regulation of such cooperation were recommended in 

 his address. Cooperation, but not to such an extent that 

 it becomes restraint of trade, he declared to be the 

 greatest need of business today. 



Town Forests and the Lincoln Highway 



By Harris A. Reynolds 



IN the ornamentation of the great national monument, 

 the Lincoln Highway, trees, shrubs and vines must 

 play an important part. The planting of forests or 

 the reservation of some of those now in existence along 

 this highway is also necessary. 



The early years of Lincoln were spent in the woods. 

 Much of his life was associated with frontier conditions. 

 Therefore, in the decoration of this highway to com- 

 memorate his life, what would be more fitting than the 

 establishment of permanent forests? Town forests, 

 managed on scientific principles, would serve in many 

 ways the communities in which they were located, and 

 such management would guarantee their permanence. 



In Kurope are town forests over 1,000 years old, and 

 they arc more valuable and probably more beautiful to- 

 day than ever before. They certainly are more appre- 

 ciated now than at any time in the past. Those forests 

 arc not only self-supporting, but they return a handsome 

 income to the municipalities. As wild parks, they have 

 few equals, and their recreational value cannot be esti- 

 mated in dollars and cents. Many of them are bird and 

 game sanctuaries as well. 



The idea of cities, towns and villages owning and 

 controlling forests is comparatively new to this country, 

 but its rapid realization is most remarkable. In the past 

 five years no less than nine States have passed laws 

 enabling their cities and towns, and in one case the coun- 

 ties, to acquire and control forests. The movement is 

 recognized as one of the great forces, if not the greatest 

 force, for conservation that has been brought forth. It 

 will bring the value and necessity of conservation nearer 

 to the individual, who must eventually begin to conserve 



the natural resources of this country. The number of 

 places that have actually established such forests is small 

 as yet, but many communities now have the matter under 

 consideration. 



Several of the States which have laws permitting such 

 ownership of forests are traversed by the Lincoln High- 

 way. Other States are certain to pass similar laws in the 

 near future. Why, then, should not the cities and towns 

 that are favored by their location on this great road 

 begin at once, where it is possible, to acquire lands adja- 

 cent to or in the immediate vicinity of this highway, with 

 the object in view of creating forests on them? The 

 advantages that town forests bring to communities are 

 obvious enough. One need but glance at the hundreds of 

 splendid examples in the various countries of Europe to 

 be convinced of the value of the proposition from the 

 economic standpoint. The experiment has stood the test 

 of time. 



Difficulties will be encountered in the establishment of 

 town forests as a matter of course. But with State 

 legislation permitting such action by the municipalities 

 those obstacles will be purely local. The advice of the 

 State Forester as to the selection of the proper site can 

 be obtained usually without cost. It remains for a public- 

 spirited organization, such as a board of trade, improve- 

 ment society or woman's club, in each locality, to head 

 the movement ; and public sentiment can readily be 

 aroused in favor of any worthy undertaking of this 

 nature. The women's clubs are already committed to the 

 work of beautifying this highway. Plans are being 

 made. It would seem that the creation of a town forest 



