FORESTRY COMMISSIONER 33 



(From Mr. Joseph McKibbin of St. Paul.) 



St. Paul, Minn., Feb. ist, 1908. 

 Gen. C. C. Andrews, 



Forestry Commissioner, 



St. Paul, Minn. 

 My Dear Sir: 



I have read your plan of reforestation with great interest, 

 and while lacking the information to discuss it fully in all its de- 

 tails, the plan as a whole has my hearty endorsement. 



Forestry is one of our greatest economic problems. . It should 

 especially command the attention of our more thoughtful citizens 

 and legislators. When we are so resolved, we can extricate our- 

 selves in a comparatively short time from most of our economic 

 difficulties — but no amount of penitence and energetic reform can 

 grow a pine forest in much less than a hundred years. 



Individuals will not engage to any extent in enterprises from 

 which they must wait a century for returns. Reforestation is 

 peculiarly the work of the State and the nation, and a vigorous 

 and broadspread start should at once be made in Minnesota. 



Very truly yours, 



JOSEPH McKIBBIN. 



(From Professor Thomas Shaw, of St. Anthony Park, Minn. 



WiLLiSTON, N. D., Feb. ist, 1908. 

 Gen. C. C. Andrews, 



St. Paul, Minn. 

 Dear Sir: 



Your letter of the 28th ult. and the circular inclosed have 

 reached me here. I take the first spare moment to reply. I have 

 read what you say in the circular headed "Plan of Reforestation 

 Recommended by the Forestry Commissioner of Minnesota," and 

 am in hearty accord with the same. Minnesota will not be true to 

 herself nor to her future citizens unless steps are taken at the 

 earliest possible moment looking to reforestation under govern- 

 ment supervision. 



I am also in hearty accord with the proposition to ask for a 

 Constitutional amendment on the general lines suggested by , the 

 Commissioner, but have not yet been able to give tha^t study to 

 this phase of the question which its importance demands 



Truly yours, 



THOMAS SHAW. 



