230 REPORT OF THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



methods and utilization are taking place than at any period in its history. 

 Further, we are now on the threshold of State and national legislation looking 

 to the conservation of our forest resources, which, in the near future, may mean 

 far reaching changes in the management of the forests and in the relation that 

 timberland owners bear to the public welfare. The lumber industry, as a whole, 

 will scarcely welcome such changes if they impose greater financial burdens on 

 the operator, and especially if restrictions are placed upon the conduct of the 

 business, such as will be necessary if effective measures are put into force. It 

 would be unjust for the public to make laws for the regulation of the lumber 

 industry without a careful study of the forest resources of the country; the 

 development of the lumber industry and its relation to the people and their 

 interests ; the methods by which the industry now conducts its operations ; mar- 

 kets and market conditions, etc. 



There is not in existence today, except in fragmentary form, any clear, 

 concise, and impartial treatise dealing with the industry, to which law makers 

 may turn for reliable data on which to base legislation; which judges and court 

 officials may turn to for inforrnation in cases of litigation; and from which such 

 national bodies as the Interstate Commerce Commission may obtain impartial 

 information regarding the transportation problems that affect the industry. 



There is urgent need for such data, and it is recommended as one of the 

 most valuable lines of investigation which might be taken up by a body such as 

 the National Conservation Congress. 



A comprehensive review of conditions, such as should be embodied in a 

 document of this character would, of necessity, include many of the fundamental 

 facts underlying the lumber tariff, forest protection, forest management, trans- 

 portation problems, and lumber marketing. It would further provide authentic 

 data on forest resources, stumpage and lumber values, accounting methods and 

 other related subjects. 



For the purposes of this study the United States should be divided into 

 regions each of which comprises a unit, so far as markets and market problems, 

 and logging and manufacturing methods, are concerned. 



The general range of subjects which such a report should include are the 

 following : 



Part I. General — 



1. The lumber industry of the region, past, present and future. Its influ- 

 ence on the prosperity and well being of the region. 



2. The value of the forests to the people 



a. As a resource. 



b. For watershed protection and regulation of stream-flow. 



c. Climatic influences, etc. 



Part II. The standing timber of the region — 



1. Past and present supply. 



2. Ownership, and its relation to the forest problems of the region. 



3. Rate of cutting and future supply. 



4. Forest management— relation to forests and welfare of region. What 

 has been done and what may be done. 



