Fifth national cOnsekvation congress 325 



It follows that the maximum cut from the national forests should be insured 

 not during the existing period of stored and excessive virgin supply, or during'; 

 that permanent future which will begin when adequate forest crops have had^ 

 time to mature, but during the closing years of an intervening transition period.. 



Of immediate concern in the sale of timber from the national forests are;, 

 the questions as to whether there is too much or too little of the mature timber 

 being sold, and whether the prices charged too high or too low? Furthermore, 

 there is the execution of the policies which are adopted, and whatever the 

 criticisms, it is certain that fewogovernmental branches have so general a reputa- 

 tion for sincerity and absolute integrity. 



The consensus of opinion regarding the execution of the present system 

 seems to be about as follows: 



1. The administration of the national forest timber business is marked by 

 sincerity and complete absence of graft or favoritism. 



2. Purchasers testify that when the necessity arises they obtain a hearing, 

 and differences are usually adjusted to mutual satisfaction. 



3. There is sometimes too much delay and controversy over the preliminary 

 negotiations, due both' to the magnifying of inessential details and to the sub- 

 mission of such details to too many authorities. 



4. The attempt to adjust prices to the profits of purchasers involves con- 

 siderable investigation of a most difficult nature, subject at best to some theory 

 and uncertainty. 



5. This work is necessarily done sometimes by men lacking in practical 

 lumbering experience, because government salaries do not attract experienced 

 lumbermen and the service is not old enough to have developed the combined 

 lumberman and forester in sufficient numbers. Higher salaries for such men 

 would get and hold better ones. 



6. Unreasonable public suspicion and danger of criticism for alleged collusion 

 prevents the Forest Service from making full use of assistance, it might other- 

 wise receive with practical problems, from unbiased sources within the lumber 

 industry itself. Such cooperation might be as useful in this as it has proved to 

 be in fire prevention. 



7. The system of continued government control of operations under detailed 

 contract places upon the subordinate officials directly in charge, a responsibility 

 for requiring exact fulfilment to the letter when contingencies justify some 

 deviation. This difficulty, also most of those in preliminary negotiations, would 

 be reduced by increasing the authority of field men. There is a tendency to 

 constant centralization of authority in Washington and perhaps in the district 

 offices, whereas it should be constantly diffused all the way down the line as 

 fast as local officers can be developed by so doing to take it increasingly. 



8. On the whole, execution is improving with the age and development of 

 the Service. 



THE REMEDY 

 We have seen that the main objects of the Federal timber policy should be to : 

 1. Insure the consumer a maximum supply of timber at the critical time 



