20 Proceedings oe the 



struction timbers, poles, and cars, they are in direct 

 and urgent need of permanent sources of these sup- 

 plies. The problem directly before the railroads is, 

 therefore, the forest problem in all its parts. Much 

 may be done by the preservative treatment of ties and 

 railroad timbers, which not only prolongs their life, 

 but also leads to the profitable use of wood of inferior 

 kinds and a corresponding decrease in the drain upon 

 the forest and the cost of its product. But, important 

 as this is, it merely mitigates the danger instead of 

 removing it. For their own protection the railroads 

 must see to it that the supply of ties and timbers in 

 the forest itself is renewed and not destroyed. 



The importance of the public forest lands to mining 

 is direct and intimate. Mines cannot be developed 

 without wood any more than arid lands can become 

 productive without water. The public forest lands 

 are, and must continue to be, the chief source of tim- 

 bers used in our western mines. The national forest 

 reserves are thus vital in their relation to mining; 

 and where mining is the chief industry, their resources 

 should be jealously guarded against other and less 

 productive use. Forest reserves impose no hampering 

 restrictions upon the development of mineral wealth, 

 either within their borders or their neighborhood, and 

 they alone can give the western mining industry a 

 permanent supply of wood, and so assure its safety 

 now and its largest development in the future. 



I am particularly glad that this Congress will in- 

 clude a full discussion of national and State forest 

 policy. The forest movement in several States has 

 already resulted in the adoption of definite State forest 

 policies. In many others, the time is ripe for useful 

 work because of the existence of a strong sentiment 

 for the best Use of the forest. The forest problems 



