363 REPORT OF THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



This principle of stability of policy of administration is a large factor in 

 successful handling of public property and has been consistently considered in 

 the national forest work. I am frequently asked as I travel about the country 

 whether I am going to make important changes in the forestry policy. I was 

 asked that very often in 1910, when I first took office. I am asked it often this 

 year. My answer is that what we are seeking is not changes but the develop- 

 ment of a permanent public enterprise with consistent and stable policies. The 

 national forests were set aside in the recognition that the bulk of these lands 

 should be handled permanently under public protection and control. Provision 

 was made for the acquisition of agricultural lands that might best be developed 

 under private ownership, and such areas are now being classified and segregated 

 from the forests very rapidly. The successful handling of the national forests 

 requires annual expenditures in administration and protection and in develop- 

 ment of roads, trails, telephones, buildings, and other improvements necessary 

 for proper administration. We seek, therefore, as fast as possible to develop 

 through classification the permanent boundaries of the forest land, and the 

 management of it according to definite far-sighted plans that will make for the 

 best results of all expenditures in the long run. The result sought is an efficient 

 business administration, a proper and adequate forestry practice, and develop- 

 ment of the public property in the interests of the people who own it. These 

 simple principles have been kept in mind since the first organization of the work 

 by Mr. Pinchot, who was more than any other one man responsible for what 

 has been accomplished in forestry in this country. 



The national forests have now been under administration fifteen years, and 

 under the Forest Service for eight years. The aim of the present administration 

 is not to overturn, but to take every possible step to increase efficiency of the 

 organization, to adjust difficulties, and advance as fast as possible the purposes 

 for which the national forests were established. Secretary Plouston recently 

 said to me regarding the national forests: 



"Establish permanent boundaries. Classify your lands; segregate the agri- 

 cultural land and fix right limits for what is needed as protective and productive 

 forests. Develop permanent policies based on full recognition of lasting public 

 interests, ■ and settled forestry practice fitted to the individual needs of each 

 forest and locality. Study efficiency; make any changes necessary for this pur- 

 pose, but make no changes that are not clearly called for in the public interest. 

 Carry out your plans for the development and increasing use of the forests; 

 but above all, make each forest work for community upbuilding and local as 

 well as general welfare. We must always have in mind the men and women 

 who are building up a new country and laying the foundations for prosperous, 

 thriving commonwealths. We must try to study their needs and see where and 

 how the forests can help them. But we must not cease to guard eflfectivelv 

 against the evils of private privilege and monopolistic control of resources now 

 the property of the public." 



' The first important result of national Forestry is a demonstration that the 

 forests can be protected from fire. It was only a few years ago that many as- 



