FOREST POLICY. 41 



k. Laws regulating the use of torch lights, tobacco pipes, matches, 

 etc., and distance of cabins from woods. 



1. Laws relative to fire lanes along railroad lines, (in coniferous 

 woods minimum 70 feet; in broadleaf woods 50 feet); relative to 

 spark arresters and responsibility of railroads for conflagrations. 



(XXXIV.) GOVERNMENTAL REVENUE MEASURES TAKEN 

 IN PRIVATE FORESTS: 



The leading idea in revenue measures is: that conservative for- 

 estry will be practiced when it is sure to pay good dividends, namely; 

 when its products command a good price, and when its expenses are 

 reduced. 



Governmental revenue measures are: 



1. Improvement of public roads, the government aiding the coun- 

 ties, as in New Jersey; providing road surveyors; and enacting effi- 

 cient laws for making, maintaining and changing public roads. 

 (Working roads by county prisoners; working roads by taxation; in- 

 fluence of stock law). 



2. Proper railroad charters, controlling freight rates, and im- 

 provement of navigation. 



3. Bounties for afiforestation as granted in the prairie States; and 

 for conservation as granted in Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York. 



4. Release of taxes at expense of State, or better, of federal gov- 

 ernment, on the ground that: 



A. Forest property lies unprotected and taxes are paid for pro- 

 tection only; 



B. Forest are of benefit to the people and taxes should be paid 

 by the beneficiary of an object. 



C. The forest consists of soil plus crop. In forestry, as in agri- 

 culture, taxes should not be levied from a growing crop. Ernest 

 Bruncken proposes to tax forest property according to gross revenue 

 (like railroads). Tax reduction should be granted at the expense of 

 the federal government, because: 



a. A federal interest is at stake; the forest problem is an inter- 

 state problem; 



b. A release of taxation of forest land should not result in an 

 increase of direct taxation with all other realties. 



The federal government draws its revenue from indirect taxation. 

 Art. I, Sec. 8, of the Constitution provides, that "the Congress shall 

 have power to lay and collect taxes and provide for the general wel- 

 fare of the United States." 



5. Free advice by the government as to the most remunerative 

 way of using a forest (Pinchot's working-plans); further, as to the 

 technical qualities of timber (Fernow's. timber tests); and finally, as 

 to reforestation on prairies and on abandoned land. 



6. The establishment of governmental forest nurseries, (as in 

 Canada) from which plants can be secured at cost price. 



7. Governmental forest schools and ranger schools, to supply 

 land owners with an efficient staff. 



