APPALACHIAN A3StD WHITE MOUNTAIN WATERSHEDS. 39 



they would materially improve the opportunities for labor. In the 

 first place, the management and protection of the reserves would 

 be largely in the hands of local men, the best men obtainable being 

 selected, just as is now done in the West, As the prevention of fire 

 would be very important, a considerable force of men would be 

 required in summer; and as there would always be more or less logging 

 ana construction work going on, there would be winter work as welE 

 In the second place, a large amount of planting should be done as 

 quickly as arrangements could be made for it. Many thousand acres 

 of cut-over and eroded lands ought to be planted up, which will mean 

 a large force of men working through several years. 



National forests would mean the development of the Southern 

 Appalachian and White Mountain regions beyond any point Avhicli 

 would be possible without them. More and better roads and trails 

 would have to be built, bridges constructed, and telephone lines put 

 up. In all of this work the Government should cooperate with the 

 local people just as it does in the West. During the present year 

 $500,000 will be expended in such improvement work on the western 

 national forests, and more will be required in the future. The East 

 needs similar help from the Federal Government in the development 

 of its moimtain forest lands. 



The policy here recommended, if carried out^ will with certainty 

 have as its ultimate effects the conservation, improvement, and 

 increased use of the wood, water, and other resources of the Appa- 

 lachian region. The benefits which accrue, while they will be direct 

 and distinct for the local region, will be in their largest degree na- 

 tional. Every section of the United States will share m them. 



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