AMENDING SECTION 9 OF THE ACT OF MAY 22, 1928, AS AMENDED, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING A NATIONAL SURVEY OF FOREST RESOURCES MARCH 4 (legislative day, February 21). 1949.-Ordered to be printed Mr. THYE, from the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 979] The Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, to whom was referred the bill (S. 979) to amend section 9 of the act of May 22, 1928, as amended, authorizing and directing a national survey of forest resources, having considered same, report favorably thereon and recommend that the bill do pass without amendments. STATEMENT The purpose of the bill is to provide authority for the United States. Forest Service to complete and keep current a national survey of forest resources. The bill authorizes an appropriation not to exceed $1,000,000 annually to complete the initial survey and provides a total appropriation of Federal funds for this purpose not to exceed $11,000,000. Authorization of annual expenditures of $1,500,000 to keep the survey current would be provided in the measure. Maintenance of a continuous and comprehensive timber inventory is believed to be an essential part of the forest-conservation program. The effect of the bill would be a continuation of the work that has already been accomplished and development of a more intensive survey program in which the various States may cooperate. Although the original act providing for a national survey of forest resources was adopted in 1928 and the work started in 1930, the entire program was deferred during the war period and has only been revived in the past few years under limited congressional appropriations. In authorizing increased annual expenditures, the increased cost of timber inventories and forest surveys is recognized as well as the desire to intensify the program and provide for keeping the surveys up to date after the initial inventories have been taken. A letter from the Secretary of Agriculture, the Honorable Charles F. Brannan, dated February 28, 1949, with respect to S. 979 is attached hereto and made a part of said report. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUlture, Washington 25, D. C., February 28, 1949. Hon. ELMER THOMAS, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, United States Senate, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SENATOR THOMAS: I have your letter of February 22 requesting a report on bill S. 979 introduced by Senator Thye to amend section 9 of the act of May 22, 1928, authorizing and directing a national survey of forest resources. This bill would have the same effect as H. R. 2001 by Congressman Sikes, section 5 of H. R. 1971 also by Congressman Sikes, section 5 of H. R. 1903 by Congressman Grant, section 5 of H. R. 1960 by Congressman Engle, and section 5 of H. R. 2223 by Congressman Wheeler, This amendment is for the purpose of authorizing the appropriation of funds to complete the Nation-wide forest survey and to make resurveys in order to keep the findings up to date. The McSweeney-McNary Forest Research Act of May 22, 1928, authorized a total appropriation of $3,000,000 to conduct the forest survey, with the proviso that not more than $250,000 could be appropriated annually for this purpose. By an amendment of May 31, 1944, the Congress raised to $6,500,000 the amount authorized to complete the first survey with the proviso that not more than $750,000 could be appropriated annually for this purpose. In addition, an annual appropriation of $250,000 was authorized for resurveys in areas previously covered in order to keep the survey current. The enactment of S. 979 would raise the total authorization to complete the first survey to $11,000,000, raise the amount that could be appropriated annually for this purpose to $1,000,000, and raise the annual authorization for resurveys to $1,500,000. The forest survey was initiated 19 years ago to obtain basic information on forest land areas, timber supplies, their rate of growth and depletion, requirements for timber commodities of all kinds, and related information about forest resources necessary in formulating sound forest policies. About $4,560,000 of the $6,500,000 authorized under section 9 to complete the first survey has been appropriated. In addition, about $2,500,000 has been available from other sources, both Federal and non-Federal. The survey has covered about three-fifths of the total forest area of the United States. Äbout 70,000,000 acres have been resurveyed since 1944. Because of continued timber depletion and growing shortages of stumpage, a much more detailed forest survey is needed now than was originally planned. The survey must be broadened and intensified if its findings are to be sufficiently inclusive and localized to meet persistent and growing demands of Federal, State, and private agencies and individuals. Industrial wood procurement programs, selection of manufacturing sites, traffic studies, assessment of timberlands, and administration of State, county, and municipal forests depend on forest survey information; as do forest policies and programs of the Federal Government in both national and international forestry affairs. The authorizations proposed in S. 979 would compensate in part for the 60percent increase in unit operating costs since 1941 and would allow for some intensification. It is most important that adequate provision be made for recurrent surveys because the forest-resource situation is inherently subject to constant change as the result of cutting, fire, insects, and disease in the timber and its replacement by growth. Experience has demonstrated that forest survey findings cannot be kept up to date by bookkeeping adjustments which apply growth and drain estimates to the original timber inventory. In this respect, United States experience is corroborated by that in Scandinavian countries where continuous periodic resurveys have superseded earlier attempts at bookkeeping adjustments. The forest survey is strongly supported by virtually all agencies and organizations, public and private alike, that are concerned with forestry problems. Many State and private agencies are cooperating with the survey, financially and otherwise, to hasten and intensify its work. This cooperation, which is con vincing evidence of the value of the survey, had an estimated financial worth of over $300,000 last year. The significance of forest resources in both war and peace is increasing. The information that the forest survey obtains is essential to making such effective use of our forests that they will contribute in full measure to national income, employment, and welfare. I regard the intensification, early completion, and effective maintenance of the forest survey essential to a sound, long-range forestry program. Consequently, the Department recommends enactment of the proposed amendment. In view of the time limitation, we have not obtained advice from the Bureau of the Budget as to the relationship of this bill to the program of the President. Very truly yours, CHARLES F. Brannan, Secretary. 81ST CONGRESS } SENATE { REPORT TO PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO SUFFER DISABILITY OR DEATH FROM INJURIES INCURRED WHILE ENGAGED IN ACTIVE-DUTY TRAINING FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN 30 DAYS OR WHILE ENGAGED IN INACTIVE-DUTY TRAINING MARCH 5 (legislative day, February 21), 1949.-Ordered to be printed Mr. KEFAUVER, from the Committee on Armed Services, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 213] The Committee on Armed Services, to whom was referred the bill (S. 213) to provide benefits for members of the reserve components of the armed forces who suffer disability or death from injuries incurred while engaged in active-duty training for periods of less than 30 days or while engaged in inactive-duty training, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with amendments, and recommend that the bill, as amended, do pass. AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL (1) On page 2, line 7, after the word "perform", insert the following words: "active duty for training or". (2) On page 2, line 14, after the word "compensation", insert the words "death gratuity,". (3) On page 2, line 14, delete the word "and" and after the word 'benefits" insert a comma and the words "and pay and allowances". (4) On page 2, lines 22 and 23, delete the words "United States Employees' Compensation Commission" and insert in lieu thereof the words "Bureau of Employees' Compensation, Federal Security Agency". (5) On page 3, line 2, after the word "receive" change the colon to a period and delete the remaining language in the section. (6) On page 3, line 10, after the word "States," insert the words "or the Air Force of the United States". |