THE FORESTER. August, 



Whereas, the efforts of the U. S. of their character, and especially of the 



Government for the preservation and mountain forest at the headwaters of the 



right use of foreststhroughout thecountry Sacramento River and its tributaries, as 



are now scattered among three agencies, also in all the arid districts of the country, 



viz: The General Land office, the U. S. 



Geological Survey, and the Division of Whereas, for many years the forest 



Forestry, and and brush covering of our mountains 



Whereas, very serious loss of effi- have been destroyed by fire, thereby 



ciency and waste of power is the neces- very materially diminishing the supply 



sary result of this diffusion of energy: of water for irrigation, and if Nature's 



therefore be it slow process in reforesting is depended 



Resolved, that the American Forestry upon without aid from man, most serious 



Association calls the attention of Con- loss will result in retarding the progress 



gress to this wasteful and deplorable of developments, especially in Southern 



condition, and strenuously urges the con- California: therefore, be it 



solidation and unification of the na- Resolved, That it is the sense of the 



tional forest work American Forestry Association that the 



Resolved, that the American Forestry Federal Government take steps at the 



Association learns with much pleasure earliest possible time to reforest portions 



of the establishment of the Forest School of the Forest Reserves of Southern Cali- 



of the University of Southern California, fornia that have been denuded by fire, 



and that it urges upon the Federal forest and are reasonably safe from fire in the 



authority the desirability of co-operating future. 



with it in its good work. Resolved, That this Association en- 

 dorses the request to Honorable R. J. 



Whereas, the Forest and Water So- Waters to secure the passage of a law 

 cieties of California and of Southern making every one responsible for dam- 

 California have requested the Honorable age done by fire made or used by him, 

 Secretary of Agriculture to cause to be on all public lands. (Appendix "A.") 

 made a full investigation of the forests Resolved, That this Association re- 

 of California and their condition and quests the Secretary of the Interior to 

 needs; and put into immediate operation in the 



Whereas, such an investigation is Forest Reserves the principles involved 



the necessary precursor of the best treat- in the request to the Honorable R. J. 



ment of forest problems : therefore be it Waters to secure the passage of a law 



Resolved, That the American Forestry making every one absolutely responsible 



Association urges upon the Honorable for damage done by fire made or used by 



Secretary of Agriculture the speedy com- him. 



pletion of this investigation, which has 



already been begum Appendix -A." 



Whereas, The Commissioner of the Los Angeles, California, July 19. 

 General Land Office and other public Hon. R. J. Waters, M. C. 

 officers have repeatedly and officially Dear Sir: You are hereby requested 

 advocated the withdrawal from sale or to secure the passage by the next Con- 

 entry other than mineral of all public gress of a law substantially as follows: 

 lands of the United States more valuable "Whoever kindles, uses, or leaves 

 for forest purposes than for agriculture: after using, any fire, whether made by 

 therefore be it himself or others, that does any damage 



Resolved, that the American Forestry to grass, brush, timber or other vege- 



Association once more urges upon the tation on land of the United States. 



President the reservation of all public beyond a circle of six feet radius from 



timber lands, pending full examination the center of such fire, shall pay a fine of 



