Page:State vs. National Control of Public Forests.pdf/9

 do not recognize the enormous present and future value of the forests. But is it a matter of doubt that the state would fail in its care and protection should the entire burden be cast upon it? Such a course would inevitably lead to but one result: the dismemberment of the forests.

The Forest Service also conducts studies and experiments as to the use and cultivation of woods, the production of byproducts, ete., which have been of enormous value to the public as well as to the lumber industries. Other collateral activities are also under its control. \Ve but refer to the roads, trails, telephone lines, etc., built and maintained as measures for protection against fire. Reforestation of denuded areas and better stocking of other portions involve additional present burdens.

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. While this is not now a large sum (amounting in Oregon last year to about $60,000), it will constantly increase and be a source of perpetual revenue to the state.

THIS naturally brings up the question of taxation and the alleged loss of taxes to the state by reason of the national forest being nontaxable. This is a favorite argument of those who do not believe in public ownership of the forests. It is largely fallacious. If the state owned the forests they would not be taxable, which in the present aspect of the case would be a sufficient answer. 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. Moreover, as we