1891.] 1^7 [Kothrock. 



any less heinous? Tliis reduced to its simplest terms is the issue now 

 before tlie Commonwealili. Already after but two hundred and fifty-six 

 years of civilized occupancy, Pennsylvania is called upon to interfere in 

 order to restore to a productive condition, and to protect against extrava- 

 gant use, about one-eighth of her area. Failure to act promptly now, 

 and wisely, will entail on the coming generation loss of resource, indi- 

 vidual suffering and increase of taxation to meet the demands of pauper- 

 ism. These propositions seem so clear in the light of present resources 

 and prospective population that it is a waste of words to discuss them. 



There are, at least, three thousand square miles in this State to- day 

 whose only possible function is the production of timber. There is, at 

 least, an equal area of land now cleared, impoverished and becoming 

 poorer each year, on which cultivation has been attempted, and proven 

 hopelessly unremunerative, which should be covered again by a forest 

 growth. No other proposition promises anything. Unless these six 

 thousand square miles are kept in a productive condition they will be an 

 absolute loss to the State and a continued menace to much of the produc- 

 tive farming land. 



The problem is one of great magnitude. Two and only two lines of 

 public policy are possible. The first one is for the State to assume control 

 of such areas. The second is for the individual to be encouraged to make 

 these areas productive under the stimulus of State direction and State aid. 

 Which shall it be? 



Where an area is distinctly isolated, and as yet in an unimproved con 

 dilion in great part, on general principles it might be wiser for the State 

 to assume direct and absolute control of it, because a far-reaching policy 

 could be inaugurated which would look to the largest results ultimately. 

 The necessity for such action would be more and more apparent if it 

 could be shown that it was directly in the interest of the Commonwealth 

 that the State should be the ]>ossessor of the land. 



The State of New York undoubtedly is in that position to-day. The 

 wisdom of her acquiring an absolute right to the Adirondack region by 

 just and legal extinguishment ot all individual titles, will depend upon no 

 other condition than what use she makes of the land. 



The State of Pennsylvania is noi so fortunately situated. Her natural 

 timber areas extend clear across from the northern to the southern border 

 and almost bisect her territory. Important railway lines run through her 

 belt of natural timber lands. Large rivers traverse them and thriving 

 farms, villages and towns occupy the choicer parts of these areas, which 

 as a whole may be designated as almost exclusively natural woodlands. 

 Clearly the State could acquire no righteous title, nor could she, even if 

 ownership were possible, administer an estate so broken and disconnected 

 in an economical manner. 



The remaining alternative is to recognize the fact that protection and 

 utilization of these regions is of the first importance to the Commonwealtli 

 and to make it the interest of the citizen to serve the State. To this 



