806 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



waters of navigable rivers or interstate 7. A much higher standard of con- 

 streams. The Government is now structive and technical efficiency is 

 purchasing lands in the East on head- possible under National than under 

 waters of navigable rivers because of State administration. The value of the 

 the disastrous results to the public Forests to the public depends directly 

 which are following abuse under private on the skill with which scientific knowl- 

 ownership. It certainly should not edge is applied to the task of develop- 

 part with title to the same class of ing their highest productiveness. Both 

 lands which it now owns in the West, in ability to carry on the research work 

 Every interstate stream presents prob- required for practical ends and in ability 

 lems which can be properly handled to command professional services of 

 only through the Federal Government, the first order the Government possesses 

 The Government can not permit the a striking advantage, 

 citizens of one State to be damaged by 8. As largely undeveloped property 

 the action or failure to act of citizens the Forests need heavy investments of 

 of another State. It is of vital im- capital for their improvement. Their 

 portance for this reason alone that full productiveness can be secured in 

 property at the headwaters of inter- no other way. The Government is now 

 state streams be retained under Gov- investing yearly in the Forests a con- 

 ernment administration. siderable part of the appropriation 



4. Not only are the interests of the made for them. Even if the States did 

 individual States and communities now not seek to make them sources of im- 

 fully protected, but in many ways far mediate revenue, at whatever sacrifice 

 more is being done for local communi- of their future possibilities, they would 

 ties than would be possible under State be reluctant to expend much for their 

 ownership. In the long run, as the development. 



timber and other resources are brought 9. The States both lack the civil 



into use with improving markets, the service system and standards of the 



States will receive from the 25 per cent National Government and are exposed 



of the gross receipts now allowed them to greater danger of being swayed by 



and the additional 10 per cent appro- private interests. In the hands of 



priated for road improvements a larger spoilsmen demoralization would quick 1 y 



amount than would come in from local succeed the present high standards of 



taxes under private ownership. the Forest Service, while the intimate 



5. The States are not as well pre- relation of the Forests to the welfare 

 pared, financially or otherwise, to of greater numbers of individuals 

 handle the National Forests as is the would tend to make their administrative 

 Federal Government. If the Forests control a highly coveted political prize, 

 were owned by the States and handled At the same time the value of their 

 in the real interests of the public, there resources would certainly arouse a 

 would be substantially the same system cupidity which would be exceedingly 

 of administration as today, at a greater difficult to control. Scandalous malad- 

 aggregate cost for supervision by a ministration might easily follow. The 

 considerable number of independent Federal Government is better watched, 

 State staffs of technical men. The farther removed from local influence, 

 financial burden would be far too great more stable, and better equipped with 

 for the individual States to assume, a non-political system and machinery. 

 The result would be either poor ad- The underlying purpose of the pro- 

 ministration and lack of protection, or posed transfer of the National Forests 

 a sacrifice of the public interests in to the States is really not to substitute 

 order to secure revenue to meet the State for Federal control but rather to 

 financial needs. substitute individual for public control. 



6. The successful application of for- Its most earnest advocates are the very 

 estry demands a stable administrative interests which wish to secure such 

 policy for long periods. This can be control. The object of the whole States 

 secured far better under National than Rights movement as it affects the Na- 

 under State control. tional Forests is to transfer to private 



