334 REPORT OF THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



The actual record of several States in the matter of public land administra- 

 tion is given in detail, and furnishes proof that the States have neither the 

 organization, the policy, nor the funds to properly control public forest lands. 

 Moreover, it would be impossible to develop uniform policies under separate 

 control. 



The expense of administration alone, and the one item of fighting forest 

 fires, would prove an insurmountable obstacle to effective State management of 

 the national forests. The argument that the loss in taxes to the State by reason 

 of Federal control is a sound argument for State control is shown to be a fallacy. 

 The taxation value of most of the national forest timber is low, and the per- 

 petual income the State will receive from the sale of stumpage must far exceed 

 any amount that could be received from taxes, since under Federal administration 

 the States receive 35% of the gross proceeds of the national forests. The 

 assertion that Federal control of the national forests is a hindrance to settlement, 

 mining, and waterpower development is not substantiated by the facts. The 

 truth is that the agricultural lands, within the forests are being restored for 

 settlement as fast as they can be classified; while homesteading within the 

 national forests is possible under the present laws. The same is true of mining 

 and waterpower, and any honest development is encouraged. The classification 

 of lands within the national forests, which is now proceeding steadily, will 

 obviate many of the difficulties and criticisms of the past. 



Confirmation is given to the statement that once public ownership is sur- 

 rendered the three great resources of the forest, — timber, water and forage — 

 are , rapidly monopolized for private advantage. After the results of private 

 ownership become apparent, the people appeal to the National Government for 

 help. They do not then appeal to their own State to recreate the forests, but 

 the appeal is made to the Federal Government to appropriate the money to 

 restore that which should never have been destroyed. 



The settlement of these important questions will come from a full under- 

 standing of this difficult problem and by a fair compelling meeting with the 

 Federal Government of constructive minds that are based neither by dividends 

 nor elections. 



Section 3, on Economics of Timber Supply in Relation to Production and 

 Consumption, was prepared by Mr. E. T. Allen, at the request of the sub- 

 committee. The subject involves questions of policy somewhat embarrassing 

 for joint discussion by the interests represented on the committees; hence it 

 was believed best to assign the subject to Mr. Allen, as a disinterested authority. 



The management of the standing timber on the national forests will inevitably 

 affect profoundly the management of existing private and State holdings. It is 

 obvious that no disposal policy which may be adopted by the Government can 

 give universal satisfaction. The governmental perplexities in the crystallization 

 of a forest poHcy will be greatly lessened when, as in older countries, a forest 

 policy can be developed which involves the welfare of the whole people and 

 protects with equal impartiality private as well as public interests. 



