Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 73.djvu/188

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184
POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY


The Shape of the Cloudland Mountain, between Green Cove and the Head of Bear Creek, showing Land Slides in Pasture. These were made in the storm of May 21, 1901, and covered from 100 to 500 square feet. Mitchell Co., Cal.

private profit and individual fortunes, but for the general welfare. It views a question from the standpoint not of the individual, but of the community. It recognizes that the nation which would hold its place in the world struggle and in universal history must husband its natural resources and raise the general level of its average citizenship. Viewing a forest-covered slope, the representative of the private interest principle says: "Here a principality may be won. Come, see and conquer!"; But the exponent of the public-interest principle says: "No; your present, petty gain can be reaped only by irremediable public loss. The whole is greater than any of its parts. The public safety is the supreme law. The government stands for all the people. In their interest, therefore, we encircle this area with the ramparts of public protection. To private initiative we say, 'Thus far shalt thou come, but no farther.' For the nation's sake this territory shall be conserved and forever publicly guarded and administered."

The present national forest area of the United States now exceeds the combined areas of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and West Virginia—all west of the Mississippi. Already the policy is amply justified by its fruits. Now let it be extended.

For the establishment of a national forest to protect the grand old