xlviii INTRODUCTION 



success with which the National Forest policy was 

 launched in the Western States was largely re- 

 sponsible for the inauguration of a similar policy 

 in the Appalachian and White Mountains. The 

 main purpose for which these forests are to be ac- 

 quired is to preserve a steady stream flow for water- 

 power, navigation, and domestic use, and to lessen 

 the dahiage caused by floods and erosion. These 

 forests are of vital influence in controlling the flow 

 of the Merrimac, Connecticut, Androscoggin, Poto- 

 mac, James, Santee, Savannah, Tennessee, and 

 Monongahela rivers. Some years ago the Merri- 

 mac drove mills worth over $100,000,000, which 

 employed over 80,000 people. Upon these, it is 

 said, 350,000 were dependent for support. In the 

 Carolinas and Georgia alone the cotton mills oper- 

 ated by water-power turn out an annual product 

 valued at almost $100,000,000. In these mills 

 60,000 people are employed, upon whom 250,000 

 are dependent for support. These mills utilize 

 106,000 horse-power. The forests which control 

 these waters are therefore of great pecuniary value. 

 The Act of March 1, 1911, commonly known as 

 the Weeks Law, made the acquisition of forest 

 lands in the Appalachian and White Mountains 



