356 REPORT OF THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



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 toward the end of the duration of the country's virgin forests and 

 before new crops take their place. 



2. To exert a steadying influence on forest industry which will on the one 

 hand prevent monopoly and extortion and on the other prevent over-production, 

 demoralization of the industry, wasteful utilization, and wrecking of the small 

 operator, all of which in the long run injure both the consumer and the States in 

 which the national forests are situated. 



3. To make its terms for Government timber attractive enough to permit use 

 by those who really need it, but not to subsidize the transfer of lumbering gen- 

 erally to the national forests, leaving private timber uncut to control the situa- 

 tion when Government timber is gone. 



4. To secure as fair a revenue as is consistent with the above objects, but 

 not to sacrifice them or future revenue unduly merely for a little more present 

 gain. 



5. To be as simple and understandable as possible to public, purchasers and 

 Congress. 



To attain all these objects requires — 



1. A non-partisan, unprejudiced, statesmanlike treatment of the whole sub- 

 ject by all concerned, based upon knowledge of the conditions governing forest 

 industry. These include the factors which govern prices, logging and manufac- 

 turing methods, the growth of forests and like influences which are too little 

 comprehended by many who now seek to interfere. 



2. A study of stands and conditions not only on the national forests, but also 

 on other forest lands, from which to judge future competitive relations. 



3. Intelligent State action in encouraging conservative handling of private 

 forests by wise tax and protective laws and in reforestation and wise handling 

 of their own lands by the States themselves. 



4. The closest co-operation between Government, States and private owners 

 in all forest matters, bringing about friendly constructive eflFort in harmony, 

 rather than conflict. The whole problem is an interlocking one, unsolvable by 

 either agency alone. 



5. A policy, based upon the above preparation, which considers all forest 

 production and forest use as Httle or no different from the production and use 

 of any other crop, to be encouraged and stabilized on the best permanent business 

 basis for all concerned. The Government should use its control of forest land 

 profitably for its constituents for which it serves as steward, but without taking 

 advantage of its position to accord either producer or consumer any unfair dis- 

 advantage. In the long run all have most to gain from making all true forest 

 land, regardless of ownership, capable of earning such an income from forest 

 production as will insure its best management and consequent fullest service 

 to community and nation. 



