FIFTH NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS 97 



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should be to call a meeting of interested persons and appoint from their number 

 a live executive committee. Too much care cannot be given to the appointment of 

 such a committee, as upon it will fall the framing, advertising and the represen- 

 tation before legislative committees of the desired legislation. 



There should, if possible, be represented on this excutive committee, foresters, 

 agriculturists, lumbermen, railroad officials and sportsmen, all of whom have 

 a direct interest in their particular line in the preservation of the forests. 



Expert legal talent, the favorable expression of the press and the public, and 

 the services of some person or persons familiar with legislative committee work, 

 will all be necessary to secure the passage of a forest law. 



Before any proposed law is given publicity, its constitutionality should be given 

 careful consideration. The principles which the law is to follow and the form of 

 expressing these principles and methods to make them effective should be in 

 quite definite form before presentation to the public. 



The power of the press, and the encouragement and formation of associations 

 and societies whose object is the furtherance of a forest conservation policy, are 

 factors that are of the highest importance and should be used to their fullest 

 extent. 



Carefully written articles appearing in the newspapers will tend not only to 

 give publicity, but will also call forth an expression of opinion which may be 

 favorable or the reverse. Such an expression will show better, perhaps, than any 

 other way, just how public opinion stands with regard to the proposed law. 

 A classified list of individuals interested in one phase or another of forestry, 

 provides a means of getting results from direct appeals to them. There is no 

 better means for gauging the public sentiment and keeping its active support. 



In the compilation of any article or pamphlet pertaining to the desired legisla- 

 tion, the writer should endeavor to cover his subject in all its phases. The fact 

 that our lumber industry would be in some measure affected, would immediately 

 arouse the interest of lumbermen. Sportsmen should be considered, as they 

 realize better, perhaps, than any one else, the importance of a forest cover for the 

 perpetuation of a game and fish supply. Women's clubs and similar organiza- 

 tions, and all who have or want summer homes by forest-sheltered lakes, are 

 natural friends of good forestry bills, and they are always willing to do all they 

 can to secure proper legislative action. 



The existence of a State forestry association or similar organization, offers 

 an excellent opportunity to place the proposed legislation before the public and the 

 legislators. The efforts of such an organization need not be confined to meetings 

 or conventions only, but should be enlarged to cover such work as the issuance of 

 a magazine devoted to forestry. If this forestry association is affiliated to some 

 other society, numerically stronger, and arrangements are made for dual member- 

 ship, a commensurate amount of support will be gained. 



In some States, sportsmen have founded what are known as Game Protective 

 Associations, whose members, apart from the excitement of the hunt, are seeking 

 the forests and streams for relaxation from business worries. These clubmen, 

 as a rule, are broad-minded, and their support can always be depended on when 

 any good forestry measures are pending. 



