36- 



A partial response to the timber depletion question . 



Finally, we find that the creation of 

 municipally owned forests is urged "by the Forest 

 Service 24 as a part of the answer to the timber 

 depletion question. "State laws should encourage 

 the acquisition of forest lands by municipalities, 

 to the end that the public ownership may be extended 

 by any agencies capable of undertaking it. Public 

 forest ownership not only is the most direct 

 attack upon timber depletion, it serves other vital 

 interests, particularly recreation, the protection 

 of water sources, and the conservation of wild life. 



Furthermore, publically owned and administer, 

 ed forests widely distribtued and setting standards 

 of technical practice, will be of the greatest edu- 

 cational value and stimulus to the general adoption 

 by private owners of methods which will keep lands 

 productive." 



ACQUISITION MD FIIMCIEG. 

 The acquisition and financing of forest 

 reservations is a matter, necessitating merely fore- 

 sight and judgment and the application of sound 

 principles of economy and municipal finance. 



Organiza tion and o petoCiion' under law . 



Sentiment in favor of the acquisition 



