FIFTH NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS 95 



Provision for an Efficient Field Organization. 



An efficient field organization should be made possible by the law. This may 

 be insured in part by the personnel of the forestry board, by the enactment of 

 civil service requirements, and by the qualifications required in the State forester, 

 upon whose judgment the selection of the right kind of men will rest. 



Provision for Settling Controversies as a Part of the Administrative Work. 



In all administrative work there are controversies arising over the interpreta- 

 tion of certain provisions of the law, or the enforcement of regulations prescribed 

 by the forester in pursuance with his authority under the law to prescribe such 

 regulations. This is distinctly a judicial function, but nevertheless the function 

 in such cases is subordinate to administration, and therefore comes in as one phase 

 of administrative work. The law %hould provide that decisions by the forester or 

 forestry board on matters which do not obviously come within the jurisdiction 

 of the court should be final. This form of procedure is quite largely followed 

 even now, although no direct reference to it may be found in the statutes. The 

 administrative officer will consult the office of the attorney general of the State 

 when in doubt, and be guided by his advice. 



Principles Determining the Effectiveness of the Organization. 



Having outlined in the law the principles on which forestry work is based, 

 and the form of organization to carry out these principles, its effectiveness will 

 depend, in the first place, upon the funds which are appropriated for the work. 

 Its effectiveness will also depend in a large degree on the efficiency of the force, 

 the proper equipment of the force, and such permanent improvements as telephone 

 lines, trails and canoe routes as it may be possible to provide. There must also 

 be provision for the prompt punishment of violators of the law. Great care 

 should be taken in wording such provisions, in order that action may be quickly 

 taken and penalties duly administered. The field officers of the department should 

 have police power, in order not only that violators of the law may be brought to 

 justice, but also that they may with due authority take steps 'to prevent the loss 

 or destruction of property in their care or within their jurisdiction. 



Summary of Part I. 



Principles on Which a Forest Law Should Be Based. 



The State is interested in all forests, public or private, and should have a 

 voice in the manner of handling even private forest l^d, because it is a limited 

 natural resource which must be maintained continuously for the public welfare, 

 and because the individual has but a passing interest in the forest. 



1. Protection of forests. 



Fire protection by State and by cooperation. 

 Diseases and insects. 



2. Maintenance of timber supply. 



Classification of land. 

 Reforestation. 



