Mr. Gallatin Roberts of Buncombe introduced into the House last Friday, January 22, H. B. No. 334 "To Protect the Forests of the State". This bill is the one, or at least closely follows the one, which was endorsed by the Forestry Association at its recent meeting in Raleigh. The bill has been very carefully prepared with the object of starting a State fire protective system along the lines suggested two years ago, care however having been taken to avoid features which the special committee of the House and Senate appointed to redraft the bill two years ago objected to.

As you are well aware there is urgent need for the passage of some such legislation. Authority would be needed by the State to protect the Mt. Mitchell State Forest should that purchase bill go into effect; in fact, there is a very pressing need for fire protection all over the State. Though we scarcely dare hope for the full amount of the appropriation asked for the in the bill, yet with even a small appropriation a start could be made and effective work done on a small scale. It is, therefore, fervently hoped that the fact of an appropriation being asked for will not prevent the passage of the bill, for without any appropriation whatever some start might be made along cooperative lines and an appropriation might be secured at the next regular session.

Following up the strong recommendations along these lines made in your message to the Legislature could you not send a special message to the General Assembly asking their favorable consideration of this bill. Representative Roberts will I am sure be glad to leave with you a copy of the bill so that you can look it over.

He will undoubtedly be able to tell you what committe now has the bill in charge. I presume, however, it is the Forestry Committee, of which Dr. R. L. Carr of Duplin is Chairman.

Trusting that you will give this matter your valued and favorable attention,