278 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



forestry principle to their property. We know that some of those reasons are 

 within their control, that many of them are beyond their control, and that 

 many or most of the factors beyond their control are within the control of 

 the state governments and specifically the state legislatures. 



I have seen, particularly in a number of western states, many instances 

 of the gropings of men interested in forestry for wise state legislation. I 

 have seen abortive attempts at such legislation. I have seen instances where 

 certain elements in those states have exerted themselves to make the legisla- 

 tion proposed so extreme that it would fail of passage. 



I have in mind particularly a law introduced in the legislature of Mon- 

 tana, the last session, which proposed, whenever the responsibility for start- 

 ing a forest fire was laid at the door of a corporation, the President or 

 Executive officer of that corporation should be subject to imprisonment for 

 a minimum perid of six months. It was seriously proposed in that bill to 

 enforce a provision of that character, and it is very obvious that there were 

 interests involved which were working to make the proposed legislation as 

 extreme as possible, so that it would fall of its own weight. 



STANDARDIZING LEGISLATION 



It has occurred to me, therefore, that one of the most effective things 

 that the American Forestry Association might do would be to standardize 

 wise forest legislation for states, at least the fundamental principles of wise 

 forest legislation, without attempting, of course, to determine how the prin- 

 ciples shall be applied under any one of a great variety of conditions. 



I think that this is one of the most effective ways in which the members 

 of the American Forestry Association can cooperate with the Forest Service. 

 One of the features of the work of the Forest Service, a feature which is assum- 

 ing increasing importance, is the critical study of state forest systems and of 

 the legislation necessary to produce an effective state forest system. We can 

 do much in collating, in publishing results of the various laws, and in 

 showing what the different states are attempting to do, and something of the 

 practical results accomplished in the various states. We can do very much 

 in creating a favorable sentiment in the states, particularly in the states that 

 are just now groping after the right kind of forest legislation. 



It occurs to me that the American Forestry Association might do a very 

 effective work by working certain standards and principles as to what con- 

 stitutes the right kind of state forestry, and then using its members as mis- 

 sionaries to make these principles known and to secure their practical adoption 

 and application under various conditions. We cannot attempt to do much 

 at first. We must be willing to accept the half loaf in cases; we must be 

 willing to adapt our ideas to rough and ready conditions. 



