Joseph N. Teal

“ The timber supply of the future for all the people, not of any particular state, is nation-wide in its importance, and the continuity of its production a national problem. Natural conditions for maintaining the timber growth and supply not being equally favorable, those states not able to supply their own wants must depend on the sections peculiarly adapted therefor to supply the same. ”

“ The forests are as national as the rivers they help maintain, and as broad in their influence as the plains for which they store the life giving water. It would seem that every one except those directly interested in profiting thereby has all to lose and nothing to gain by a transfer from nation to state. ”

“ INDEED from a practical standpoint the state today is in a better position than if it owned the forests. The protection of the forests is paid for by the federal government, and the state receives 35 per cent of the gross revenue. The experiments and studies as to use, etc., of which we receive the benefit, are carried on by the government. Not a tree can be felled- and transformed into lumber without leaving 80 per cent of the receipts in the hands of labor and those furnishing supplies. ”

“ FROM a national standpoint these public forests fill other functions than merely to furnish lumber and other timber products—functions and uses which extend far beyond state lines and involve the welfare of many people. ”

“ On account of the location of the national forests, cost of protection is certain to exceed income for years to come. Notwithstanding this fact, there is paid to the state and counties for road and school purposes in the counties where sales are made, 35 per cent of the gross receipts from all sales of timber. ”

“ As to much of this area the surface is so broken and the slopes so steep as to make cultivation out of the question. On these mountains the forests stand as guardians of our water sheds affecting not only this state but other states as well, a matter of direct concern to the well-being of every citizen now living or hereafter to live in the vast domain protected by them. ”

“ Moreover, the taxable value of forests in remote uninhabited regions or summits of mountain ranges would be very problematical, and, in our opinion, eliminating the undesirability of turning the forests over to private ownership, the perpetual income the state will eventually receive from sales of stumpage would far exceed any amount that could probably be received from taxes. ”

“ Speaking generally the forest area is confined to the mountainous regions of the Cascades, Coast Range and Blue Mountains, the highest and most inaccessible regions of the state. The great percentage is as yet far removed from transportation facilities. Approximately 43 per cent of this area is at an altiture of more than 5000 feet above sea level, about 171/2 per cent 4000 to 5000 feet above sea level, and about 9 per cent 3000 to 4000 feet above sea level. ”

“ The suggestion often advanced that other states have enjoyed properties of a similar nature and wasted or misused them, and therefore that we should be permitted to follow the same course if we so desire, does not seem to Us very conclusive. ”

“ They prevent or minimize constantly recurring disastrous floods, which know not state lines. They retard soil erosion and in many ways have a direct effect upon natural conditions of the greatest consequence. ”