j)8 REPORT o^ the: forestry committee 



I 



In States where a Forest Service is already in operation, the personnel com- 

 prising it will affect new legislation to a marked degree. It is not intended to 

 convey that their political associations will be responsible for this, but rather the 

 results they have obtained by the forest law, the provisions of which it has been 

 their duty to enforce. 



Advantage should be taken of any special days usually set aside by proclama- 

 tion of the governor, such as Arbor and Fire Prevention Days. The issuance on 

 these days of topical literature is advisable. This might take the form of 

 pamphlets and be distributed in the schools. To reach the parents through the 

 school children is one way, and a mighty convincing one, of getting the informa- 

 tion where you need it. 



After all this preparatory work has been performed, the actual presentation 

 and discussion of the bill by the legislative committees is in order. 



In all States, there is bound to be a majority of the members of the legisla- 

 ture representing districts which will be directly affected by the proposed law. It 

 should, therefore, be an easy matter to secure their attention, and, provided the 

 measures proposed are right, their support. 



The presentation of actual facts and figures to legislators is necessary, if the 

 desired law lends itself to that kind of demonstration. This matter should be 

 handled by one whom, for the want of a better name, we shall call a "lobbyist." 

 He must be prepared to debate the measure, and must be thoroughly posted or 

 forest statistics, if the bill is purely forestry, and, if prairie protection with a 

 view to reforestation or the promotion of woodlots is contemplated, he must 

 also be in a position to explain the requirements in that direction. The introduc- 

 tion of statements by disinterested enthusiasts who might be recruited from such 

 organizations as game protective associations will carry much weight. 



When the bill is to come before the legislature, it is a wise provision to circu- 

 late information among the members, so that each and every one can be acquainted 

 with the purposes of it. Having progressed thus far with the proposed law, it 

 is up to the law-makers to do the rest, and, almost invariably, if the publicity and 

 information work has been well done, the results are favorable. 



Part III. 

 ENFORCING STATE FOREST LAW 



HAVING provided by law for the general plan of organization, it remains to 

 determine in what way its various parts will operate. The formal char- 

 acter of a law does not clearly show how its various parts will work out. 

 Its real character is determined not only by the operation of these parts, but also 

 by its operation in conjunction with laws with which it is supposed to act. These 

 laws often have more influence than the parts of the lavy which are supposed to 

 regulate its action. These are factors in splitting up the administration of a law 

 into more or less separate and distinct branches. There is still another factor 

 which has a tendency in the same direction, and this is the maintenance of the 

 administrative organization in proper relation with the legislative body. 



