I^IFTH NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS 13 



As soon as this plan was decided upon ten sub-committees, with four to 

 eight members each, were appointed. The subjects covered the more important 

 technical problems of forestry and lumbering, and broad national questions involv- 

 ing legislation and regional public interests. The chairmen and sub-committee 

 members were selected on the basis of their experience and ability to contribute 

 new knowledge on the subjects assigned, or to compile the old in workable form. 

 The list of committeemen is in itself sufficient evidence of the seriousness and 

 high character of the investigations undertaken. Several topics were suggested 

 under each sub-committee subject, and the more irnportant selected for this year's 

 report. Practically all details of text and arrangements were left to the sub- 

 committeemen. It is striking evidence of the importance and public interest in 

 forest conservation that fifty busy men should freely give their time and thought 

 to work of this kind. 



The printed reports, therefore, as presented to the Congress are not the 

 views of rhetoric of any individual, but the mature conclusions of a body of 

 experts, who represent all regions and all phases of forest activity. The neces- 

 sary publicity to the sub-committee's findings will be given by printing and dis- 

 tributing the reports, by wide circulation through the American Forestry Maga- 

 zine and lumber journals, and by distribution among trade, technical and public 

 service organizations. 



By presenting these reports at forestry section meetings and giving ample 

 opportunity for discussion, further information will be gained and that available 

 will be disseminated. Those who attend will receive the benefit of the informa- 

 tion given, and, in turn, by taking part in the discussions, will contribute to the 

 fund of available knowledge, and add facts for use in the present or future 

 revision of the reports. Most of the subjects will continually develop new phases, 

 and what is up to date or advanced thought or information to-day may be obsolete 

 to-morrow. At the same time, there are fundamental principles which remain 

 unchanged, and basic methods which when once applied need revision only in 

 detail. No one has any thought of being able to settle at once and for good and 

 for all the many complex conservation problems. Recognizing, however, the 

 evolutionary nature of the development, it is apparent that the broader and better 

 the knowledge and the closer the harmony among the various interests, the 

 sooner will come security to the nation's timber resources and provisions for 

 maintaining the needed supply. 



Tt is not fitting for the Forestry Committee to pass judgment on its own 

 work nor to outline plans for the future. It is a temporary body which will gc 

 out of office automatically at the close of the coming Congress ; while as to 

 results, the accomplishments of the year will speak for themselves in the sub- 

 committee reports and in the forestry speeches before the general Congress. It 

 may not be out of place, however, to say that the form of organization adopted 

 is in general effective, and that the results are even better than was anticipated. 

 It is unfortunate that the present officers of the Conservation Congress, who have 

 so consistently supported the work, and the Forestry Committee have a tenure of 

 service so short that they can little more than inaugurate work of the kind which 

 has been attempted. 



