WFTH NATIONAI, CONSERVATION CONGRESS 355 



EXECUTION 



WHILE critics of the system are prone to condemn its execution also, 

 and its supporters are loyal in refuting all criticism, it is almost self- 

 evident that neither view is correct. It is unlikely that a new and 

 underpaid service will consist wholly of practical experienced men competent to 

 deal unerringly with all details of a complicated timber business, especially one 

 which, as has been seen, is itself experimental by nature. On the other hand, 

 few governmental branches have so general a reputation for sincerity and abso- 

 lute integrity. These are compatible only with earnest effort toward competent 

 execution. Certainly no occasional local dereliction warrants general criticism by 

 its observer and certainly there is in existence no competent and unbiased agency 

 with complete facilities for observation. Perhaps this committee is the nearest 

 approach to such and it cannot claim full acquaintance with personal conduct of 

 business throughout the field. The consensus of opinion, however, 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 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 lum- 

 bering experience, because government salaries do not attract experienced lum- 

 bermen and the service is not old enough to have developed the combined lum- 

 berman 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 col- 

 lusion prevents the Forest Service from making full use of assistance it might 

 otherwise receive with practical problems from unbiased sources within the lum- 

 ber industry itself. Such co-operation might be as useful in this as it has proved 

 to be in fire prevention. 



t. 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 devia- 

 tion. This difficulty, also most of those in preliminary negotiations, would be re- 

 duced 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 ddwn 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. 



