A Foreword 



By J. Lewis Thompson 



Chairman, Cut-Over Land Committee 

 Southern Pine Association 



Gentlemen : — We are gathered together here this morning in 

 a conference — our program states just what we are here for; and 

 on account of my having, in an unguarded moment, accepted the 

 chairmanship of this committee I happen to be before you just at Government 

 this time. We had expected to have a large gathering, and to all of Deeply Inter- 

 yon is due some explanation as to why we had so many changes ^ t H 

 in our date of meeting. The Department at Washington and the Development 

 officials are very much interested in this meeting, and we were 

 shifting about dates trying to arrive at a date at which they could 

 attend, but, as we all know, the Germans interfered with their plans ; 

 but we have finally gotten together here at this time. We are dis- 

 appointed in not having Senator Ransdell here to preside for us 

 this morning, but Mr. Alexander has kindly consented to preside, 

 and I take pleasure in introducing Mr. Alexander to you. 



