288 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



chasing agent, but a technical man, who should have a 

 position equivalent to the consulting engineer, reporting 

 to the vice-president or general manager. He should 

 be able to deal with forest lands in their relation to 

 railroad supplies, with timber inspection, handling, 

 treatment, and its final disposition. He should have 

 authority to make investigations with competent assist- 

 ants, so as to keep himself posted as to changes in 

 methods, as to timber values, maintenance problems, 

 etc., and his opinion should be that of an expert. So 

 far as I know, only one railroad has so far created a 

 position of manager of a tie and timber department in 

 the sense indicated. It is particularly striking that 

 this should be the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 

 Railroad, a road with the largest experience in timber 

 treating of any in this country. The example which 

 they have set should be followed by others. 



In discussing preserving problems I have spoken 

 largely of ties and railroad timbers because these forms 

 of timber have so far been most frequently treated. 

 Most of the preserving plants are either directly or 

 indirectly connected with railroad operations. The 

 chemical preservation of wood, whether it be against 

 decay, fire, warping, stains, etc., will probably play an 

 increasingly important part in the development of an 

 economical utilization of forest products. Not only 

 will it affect railway and telegraph interests, but also 

 in a smaller way each owner of forest lands and the 

 smaller user of timber. Farmers have been using 

 longlived timbers for fence posts. These are getting 

 expensive in many parts and have to be shipped long 

 distances. By treating the saplings growing on his 

 own farm, each farmer will be able to make his own 

 posts at slight expense. 



The lumber interests will be influenced by the more 



