Foreword 



SOME AREAS in the United States are fortunate in having ample 

 jobs for all workers. Others, even in times of prosperity, have 

 more job hunters than jobs; in times of depression, poverty becomes 

 so acute that it threatens the national welfare. 



The Anthracite Forest Region of northeastern Pennsylvania is 

 one such problem area. During the 1930's unemployment in this 

 region was especially severe. In 1938, when the relief load was at 

 its peak, 364,000 persons — nearly a quarter of the total population- 

 were dependent on public-works programs and direct relief. In that 

 same year the figure for the rest of Pennsylvania was 16 percent. 



This situation, though aggravated by the general depression, was 

 due largely to specific local conditions. During the preceding 20 

 years the production of anthracite coal — the most important source 

 of employment in the region — had fallen off 50 million tons, or 50 

 percent. Furthermore, a reduction in markets and in the amount of 

 recoverable coal make any considerable increase in production 

 improbable. 



During the war, unemployment in the region temporarily disap- 

 peared. But the basic situation still exists, and only a major readjust- 

 ment of the region's economy can prevent serious unemployment in 

 the future. 



Next to coal, the most important natural resource is the forest. 

 Of the 5% million acres that comprise the region, 3 1 , million are 

 forested. Though in poor condition now, these forests were once 

 among the finest in the country, and their potentialities are still great. 



This report has been organized in two parts. Part I describes 

 the general economic situation in the Anthracite Forest Region and 

 discusses the past use and misuse of the forests as an aid to understand- 

 ing current conditions. The potential contributions of the forests to 

 employment and income are estimated, and suggestions arc made for 

 needed action programs. Part II describes in detail the situations 

 in the three principal subregions. 



Highlights of the Anthracite Forest Region's economic problem 

 and the potentialities of the forest resource for helping to meet this 

 ojdblem arc- presented graphically on the next two pages. 



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