i8o North American Forests and Forestry 



So far in this chapter we have treated the rela- 

 tions of the public authorities to the forestry prob- 

 lem principally from the side of the executive and 

 administrative branch of government. We have 

 discussed the government zis a forest owner, and 

 seen that it may manage such property in the 

 manner of private parties, for the purpose of gain- 

 ing a profit, and by the income the treasury ob- 

 tains from this source lighten the burden of the 

 taxpayers. We have also learned that the ques- 

 tion of making a profit on the investment may be 

 left in the background, and the government be 

 willing to own and manage forests although for 

 one reason or the other a profit cannot be ex- 

 pected, and the forest is a source of expense rather 

 than revenue. This may be either because the 

 authorities feel that without government manage- 

 ment a permanent supply of raw material for the 

 various industries cannot be depended upon ; or 

 the burden is undertaken because otherwise forests 

 which are necessary to protect the water supply of 

 rivers or irrigation works would be in danger of 

 destruction. We have mentioned how municipal- 

 ities could serve their interests if they acquired the 

 possession of forest tracts as recreation grounds 

 for their own people and summer visitors. We 

 have also spoken of the duty of government in 

 acquiring and disseminating knowledge regarding 

 all matters pertaining to forestry. 



But aside from such executive and administrative 

 functions, the action of government is of the utmost 



