D 



PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OF FOREST ECONOMICS* 



By E. T. ALLEN 



Forester for Western Forestry and Conservation Association 



ID you ever go into any project help intelligently. Sometimes the prop- 

 requiring your money and ef- agandist doesn't know either. Arid 

 fort, together with considera- forest preservation, unfortunately, can- 

 ble responsibility, without real- not be conducted wholly by a business 

 ly understanding it ? I suppose every manager or board of directors. It is a 

 one of us has. Most of us have in- mutual co-operative enterprise, requir- 

 vested hard-earned money in some ing daily participation and ratification 

 enterprise because we couldn't find a by all concerned. There must be an 

 single flaw in the argument of the pro- American forest policy which exists, 

 motor and consequently didn't have not because a few of us say it should, 

 strength of mind to resist. We didn't but because a majority of citizens un- 

 really want to invest, even if it were derstand what is needed and why and 

 a good thing. We hadn't the money proceed to put it into effect. 

 to spare or, even if we had, we knew True, we are making rapid progress 

 some other business better and would toward such a situation. Twenty years 

 feel safer in it. We succumbed to per- ago we had practically nothing. Now 

 suasion and logic just because we were we have a great and efficient national 

 off our own ground and couldn't es- forestry administration. Most States 

 cape decently, but our hearts weren't have some forest laws, some have good 

 in it. And however good that project ones, a few are fairly liberal with 

 was, it didn't succeed as well as it funds. We have forestry associations 

 would have if we had understood it, and congresses. Lumbermen, once re- 

 known it good because we did under- garded as the opposition, are now show- 

 stand, followed every development with ing the most rapid advance of all, for 

 intelligent interest, and put our money in less than ten years their systematic 

 and enthusiasm behind it every minute protection of private timber has grown 

 accordingly. from practically nothing to cover about 

 Maybe we never actually distrusted 100,000,000 acres, with an increase of 

 the promoter, but we watched affairs 3,000 per cent in five years, 

 mighty ready to criticise or sell out. But why does the Forest Service 

 We could even fail like martyrs if nee- still have to fight for existence in every 

 essary, but we didn't help as though Congress, and at best be supplied with 

 our own honor and judgment were at funds much less than private owners 

 stake. spend to protect adjoining lands ? Why 

 Now that's just what is wrong with do many States have no forest legis- 

 forestry in America. We have propa- lation and few legislation that is ade- 

 gandists with a perfectly irrefutable quate? Why are there sections where 

 assertion that forest preservation is a lumbermen and public are so mutually 

 good investment. The public either suspicious that neither supports any 

 -a \s "too busy today," and while not de- real solution of a mutual problem? 

 nying does nothing, or it says "here's Why do we have to have forestry as- 

 your law (or appropriation or what- sociations and conventions? 

 ever is asked for) ; now make good Evidently because the average citizen 

 and save the forests." But it doesn't does not know much about the problem 

 know the business factors that govern himself, in spite of all we have said 

 the enterprise and cannot criticise or and done. Result depended upon 



58 



