12 A IS^ATIO^TAL LUMBER AlS'D FOREST POLICY. 



The adjustment of international relations, the reform of taxes, or 

 other public measures taken to aid industry should be considered in 

 connection with the question of constructive handling of the timber- 

 lands. Already a number of lumbermen of the Northeast have stated 

 to me that the}^ would support a program that would make good 

 forest jDractice a requirement, provided the public cooperated in 

 removing the real obstacles now existing, and also provided that the 

 requirements which might be imposed were made applicable through- 

 out the region without discrimination. 



It is possible that Vvdiere public and private lands are intermingled 

 and economically interrelated, as in the West, a still more far- 

 reaching principle may be desirable; one that would coordinate all 

 forest lands within economic groups so that they can be developed in 

 a way best to meet the needs of the country and the communities. 

 It has already been found necessary to coordinate and handle jointly 

 all forest lands, regardless of ow^nership, with respect to protection 

 from forest fires. A joining of hands of the public with industry in 

 carrying out and administering the great private resources of timber 

 so as to prevent the present waste and uneconomic overproduction 

 and at the sam.e tim.e to insure forest renewal is a distinct possibility. 

 Under such a plan there would be public control of such features as 

 concern the public welfare, and the industry would handle its part 

 under conditions that w^ould permit full play of individual initiative 

 and enterprise. At the present time the mixed character of owner- 

 ship tends to prevent an orderlj?- development that builds up and 

 sustains communities. 



In all regions there is needed a broad policy of forest development, 

 a policy which makes for permanent mills and all that means to the 

 employment question, which places timber on the market only as it 

 is needed, which protects the present resource — a difficult matter 

 now even under the most earnest efforts to cooperate — and wdiicli 

 classifies tlie lands, encourages agriculture, puts to its best use every 

 acre, and secures tree growth on nonagricultural lands. 



Is not such an outlook worth while for the public ? And is it not 

 likely that the country would support such a plan if it could assure 

 itself that the public benefits would be secured? Certainly it could 

 aiford to give its financial credit and authority, provided its interests 

 are safeguarded by adequate control placed in public hands. 



These are suggestions m.ade to indicate the character of the coop- 

 eration the public might lend and the sort of requirements it should 

 exact. I have discussed a fev\^ of the principles, aims, and problems 

 of a national policy. I have emphasized particular points because 

 of their importance and because they are the ones most likely to cause 

 difficulty. A national program should include many other features, 



