Founding of Forest Service

Forestry Congress: Different Branches of Forestry to be Considered at Convention in Washington 

The above headlines were on the front page of the Dec. 7, 1904 issue of the Saratoga Sun. Below is the article.  

L .G. Davis, superintendent of the Medicine Bow Forest Reserve, left Monday for Washington. D.C., as a delegate to the American Forestry Congress, which convenes during the first week in January, from the second to the sixth. 

The congress will be under the auspices of the American Forestry Association, and it’s purpose will be to establish a broader understanding of the forest in its relation to the great industries depending directly or indirectly upon it and to advance the conservative use of forest resources for both the present and future needs of these industries. 

Among the questions to be considered are: Forestry and it’s effect upon the lumber industry; the relationship of the public forest lands to irrigation, mining and grazing; forestry in relation to railroad supplies; and a thorough discussion of national and state forest policy. 

The rise of the forest movement dates from 1875 when a small body of public spirited men organized the American Forestry Congress, and the organization has increased in numbers and influence yearly until it has become one of the great powers for good over the entire country. 

The convention will be composed of delegates from every portion of the country and men who have made a thorough study of forestry in all its branches, such as Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture and president of the American Forestry Association, Hon. Gifford Pinchot, Forester United States Department of Agriculture and others. 

Under present circumstances, maybe the American Forestry Congress needs to be reconvened…  But, then that’s for another day. Tomorrow go out and enjoy what’s left of our forests.