52 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMITTEE 



make their lands yield a return instead of paying taxes annually and letting them 

 lie unproductive. As in the case of any other long-lived corporation an mvest- 

 ment covering a long time is not an obstacle to the company. 



With coal companies the problem of future supplies of mine props and other 

 material is chiefly connected with the length of time the coal owned or con- 

 trolled by a given company will last. Extensive planting may be desirable, or it 

 may be determined that the regional supply of timber will be sufficient or can 

 be supplemented by planting. Planting of surface owned by the company is the 

 simplest use to which it can be put. If such planting occupies land in a bituminous 

 coal region where open coking ovens are used, its general success may be les- 

 sened materially or prevented by the effect of sulphurous gases. 



The feasibility of planting by water companies is apparent by a brief survey 

 of conditions and opportunities. Large areas have to be owned to protect the 

 purity of supply. Such lands offer the best protection if forested. Even though 

 the water may be filtered before use, benefit is derived from forested water- 

 s'heds. Lands acquired on watersheds usually include many open farm lands 

 which should be planted. Much of this work has already been successfully done 

 by New England water companies and each year additional acreage is being set 

 with trees. It is the most satisfactory crop for the lands considering their pur- 

 pose and an excellent future profit is assured owing to nearness of market in 

 nearly every instance. 



Community Forests: What has been said in reference to private companies 

 furnishing water supply for cities and towns applies to the feasibility of forest 

 planting for cities and towns which own and manage their own water systems. 

 Areas owned are sufficiently large to yield ultimately a high money return to the 

 community. Once established, such forests will furnish regular crops of timber 

 which can be used for city purposes or sold. In either case taxes will be re- 

 duced or the water rate can be lowered to a minimum figure. Some States* have 

 recently passed laws permitting counties, cities, towns and villages to acquire 

 forested lands or areas suitable for tree growth for the establishment of com- 

 munity forests. Such forests have many uses, among which are water protec- 

 tion, timber supply, park forests, etc. Their future value will be very great and 

 they will provide useful material at a future time of local and regional scarcity 

 of timber. 



Some communities are in a position financially to carry these laws into effect 

 and need only to be shown the possibilities and opportunity. The majority, how- 

 ever, cannot undertake an extensive program of forest planting without State 

 aid. The city of Seattle has recently planned a very extensive planting operation 

 in its large watershed. This is independent of State aid and while involving 

 heavy expenditure promises very definite and high returns. 



State Forest Planting : Is it advisable for States to enter upon an extensive 

 plan of commercial forest planting? The policy of State ownership and manage- 

 ment of forest lands is now recognized by many of the States. In New York and 

 in Pennsylvania a million to a million and a half acres have been acquired under 



*New York and Pennsylvania. 



