The Introduction of a National Forestry 

 Policy in the United States* 



It is about twenty years since for the first time in an official 

 way the attention of the Federal Government had been called 

 to the importance of providing means of protection for the 

 forests within the national domain, against excessive and 

 improvident despoliation. 



It was ex-Senator Carl Schurz who discussed, as Secretary 

 of the Interior, the necessary evil consequences of the present 

 practice of forest devastation, and the responsibility of the 

 present generation in permitting and perpetuating practice;, 

 of public policy which would soon lead to irreparable injuries 

 to the future welfare of this great republic. 



Mr. Schurz's world-wide experience was in this instance 

 based upon his personal observations of the forestry manage- 

 ment in Germany and France, and the disastrous consequences 

 that in the latter country had followed the reckless treatment 

 of the forests in the last century, and which ultimately, by 

 stringent legislation, and at enormous expenditures, had to 

 be brought to an end, and restoration secured by a well-devised 

 forestry administration. 



The remarks of Mr. Schurz were, for a time, treated with 

 some merriment ; and even Mr. Blaine, as wise a man as he 

 was, would join in the ridicule, and call Mr. Schurz a German 

 idealist — to which, however, the latter did not let Mr. Blaine 

 wait a long while before giving him a sharp rejoinder. 



There was then scarcely a man amongst the native citizens 

 who was not fully persuaded that the wealth of our woods was 

 imperishable, and that the benignant hand of nature would 

 fully replenish the deficiency without calling upon the aid of 

 man for minding and nursing. 



It was only within a few German circles, scientists, and 

 practical foresters, who had seen in their old homes forestry 

 management, or even functioned as forestry officials, where 



