FIFTH NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS 365 



cooperating more and more with the Government to make the local administra- 

 tion successful. 



In the East the work of the Federal Government is today far more effective 

 than ever before. The establishment of national forests under the provisions of 

 the Weeks Law is accomplishing many results not anticipated even by its most 

 earnest advocates. The purchase of lands on important watersheds in the White 

 Mountains and southern Appalachians is steadily progressing. Already contracts 

 for over 700,000 acres have been approved by the National Forest Reservation 

 Commission. These lands are located on the most important watersheds and have 

 been secured at prices representing their actual value, the average being $5.07 per 

 acre. It has already been demonstrated that the building up of national forests 

 by purchase and at reasonable prices is practicable. 



The first effect of these purchases has been an educational one. The wide 

 interest in the work has resulted in an awakened appreciation of forest protec- 

 tion and forestry wherever the Government has been examining land for purchase. 

 Cooperation in forestry between the Government and the States has received 

 a great stimulus. The actual annual saving from loss on areas protected from 

 fire directly as a result of the Weeks Law, on private as well as public property, 

 would amount to a very large aggregate sum. In short, the Weeks Law is now 

 yielding results which fully justify the new policy which it established. 



The nation's interest in the success of the forestry movement is very great; 

 the contribution of the nation through Federal agencies should be correspondingly 

 liberal. Let the Federal Government assume its full responsibilities of leader- 

 ship, assistance, and cooperation, and our forest problem will be on the way to 

 certain solution. 



