Show FORESTRY A NECESSITY II A BROAD NATIONAL SYSTEM OF I PRESERVATION NOT IOTA A FAD NOR A FANCY The Editor of the American Lumberman Lumber Lumber- man Urges Irrigation and Forestry Quotes Legislation-Quotes Some Noted Authorities Prom From the American Lumberman of ot Dee Dec 2 By request the American Lumberman Lumber Lumber- man reprints in this Issue a part of the speech of George H H. Maxwell executive executive executive ex ex- chairman of the National Irrigation Irrigation Irrigation gation Association delivered before the American Forest Congress at Washington Washington Wash Wash- ington D D. D C C. in the early part of January January January Jan Jan- uary 1905 This address has much to commend it to the business men of the country It was termed the sensational address of the congress and perhaps deservedly so called because because because be be- cause it sets forth in illuminated words the necessity of ot inaugurating a systematic movement looking toward the rehabilitation of forest lands and the planting or treeless areas The gentleman who delivered this able talk on forestry spoke from experience experience experience ex ex- and close observation He did not dillydally around with the usual commonplace platitudes about the Importance importance importance im Im- im- im of forestry but by illustration illustration illustration tion showed for what purposes the forests were intended and the commercIal commercial commercial com com- mercial value of their importance as compared with the recognized bulwarks of ot the nation While he conceded the necessity of an army and navy to guard invasion and to protect and uphold uphold uphold up up- hold the rights of th the people in foreIgn foreign foreign for for- eign countries he called particular attention attention attention at at- to the desirability of maIntaInIng maintaining maintain maIntaIn- ing Ingan an adequate forested area in order that the commercial interests of the United States might in like manner be preserved Mr Maxwells Maxwell's arraignment of the national lawmakers and his comments on the shortsightedness of those in charge of business interests were timely time time- ly While not subscribing fully and unreservedly to the views expressed the American Lumberman believes that his severe condemnation of past and present methods and practices will willi bring forth good results and that its ita republication will again turn public i I attention to the necessity of adopting laws which will correct evils in the future and provide a a system of a juster administration of oJ the public land laws The attitude of the public toward forestry and irrigation is a peculiar one Men evidently fall faU f to j recognize t such ques ci- ci arT 1 ra Qt lh m r others admit the desirability of establishing establishIng establishing es es- reserves but want to leave It to those who are more directly concerned Still others are lukewarm and while readily admitting the bene bene- benefits benefits fits of forestry and irrigation projects projects projects pro pro- content themselves with waiting until there is more visible likelihood of the movement being successful Still another faction is made up of ot those who are op openly opposed to all forestry schemes many national irrigation Irrl- Irrl irrigation gation gatlon projects and government intervention intervention inter inter- in such matters Inter Inter-I. Until within recent years the forests of ot the country as a whole have hav been controlled by pr private te owners The I i I i J J. J E E. E DEFEBAUGH Editor of the American Lumberman preponderance of the country covered with forests had deluded the people Into a n. belief that they were of minor importance as forests and of primary as manufacturing materials The result has been that under private I vate administration the forested areas largely have havo disappeared and at the present time little if It any attention I is being given to providing for a second second sec see ond and growth In the north the fires destroy what the loggers leave and in the central states the forests give place to farms in some instances not even a woodlot being spared The people of this country unquestionably have abused t the e privilege of doing as they please with their own property for their immediate financial betterment betterment betterment better better- ment with the prospect of such pray practices practices tices resulting disastrously in the fu fu- ture Much of the land denuded of its timber is absolute forest land fit forno for forno forno no p purpose except possibly grazing and not of the best character even for tor that use tree Nature will require years to replace this protection protection c- c tion so that a new forest may be brought forth and this change never will be possible unless the woods and small growth which nature uses asa as asa asa a basis of the cover shall be protected It is impossible to secure the adoption adoption adoption tion of laws looking toward the establishment establishment establishment of a new custom of national scope without a widespread public demand demand demand de de- mand for the change believed by its supporters to be an Improvement over existing customs Few if any have havethe havethe havethe the effrontery openly to take the field aga against the forestry movement as all fair minded people realize the necessity necessity necessity sity of keeping a part of the country protected by a forest cover The clash clah of science that forests are necessary to protect the rainfall as an aid id hi this regulation generally is admitted t fi i GEORGE H. H MAXWELL Executive Chairman the 1 National Irrigation Association II On the he subject the attitude of ol the people as a whole is this Yes forestry forestry for for- estry Is ia a 0 mighty good thing but I am am too busy with my little affairs to HS interest in it lt an and J tw s M 1 rt re l in any way Let the tho other is going to get some advantage from it fight for it it It is about time for forthe forthe forthe the public to wake up and begin to take notice Mr Maxwells Maxwell's speech strikes a high note and should create sufficient noise thoroughly to awaken the sleepers |