Whereas, because of the scattered ownership of sawmills and diversified woodusing interests, no single unit of the industry can afford to carry on this highly important research, and

Whereas in 1928 the McSweeney-McNary Forest Research Act of Congress in recognition of these factors authorized the expansion of the forest products research appropriation from $500,000 annually to $1,000,000, and

Whereas the appropriation for this research work for the current fiscal year is practically the same as it was in 1928, and

Whereas the Forest Products Laboratory, which is the agency of the Federal Forest Service through which most of this research is conducted, with its new building, equipment, and facilities, is prepared to immediately carry forward the full program authorized by the McSweeney-McNary Act without additional overhead costs and expenditures: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the urgent recommendation of the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor that Federal appropriations for forest products research be increased $500,000 in the year beginning July 1, 1936, to the full amount authorized in the McSweeney-McNary Forest Research Act: and be it further

Resolved, That the secretary send copies of this resolution to the National Federation; to Wisconsin Senators and Congressmen with the request that they support Federal appropriations for forest products research; and to each of the other State federations with the request that they take similar action in support of these appropriations.

Unanimously adopted January 11, 1936.

HENRY OHL, Jr., President.
J. J. HANDLEY, Secretary-Treasurer.

Mr. TARVER. We will be glad to study the case from that angle, but it has not previously been called to our attention by the other witnesses, the question involving, as it was presented, only the matter of securing increased appropriation for the purpose of carrying on research work in this laboratory, and the increase sought, as I understood the evidence of the witnesses, would have no relation to the employment of men for construction purposes.

Mr. BLUMENBERG. No; I believe we have quite a number of our members working inside that laboratory.

I don't know if there is a Member of the House on this committee from the State of Wisconsin. If there is, I have a copy of a letter that was addressed to Hon. Gardner Withrow.

Mr. UMSTEAD. Mr. Withrow appeared this afternoon before the committee.

Mr. BLUMENBERG. Oh, he did? This was a copy of a letter that our organization sent to him, and the same thing was sent to Senator Duffy, of Madison.

Mr. TARVER. The organization seems to be interested in the proposed increase from the standpoint of the possible increased use of wood in the building industry and the possible increase of building which may be brought about through experiments in the laboratory in the production of cheaper building material, rather than from the standpoint of increased construction work at the site of the laboratory. That is what I gather from the letter addressed to Mr. Withrow.

Mr. BLUMENBERG. And the men employed in the laboratory. I believe we have something around 20 or 30 men working in that laboratory.

Mr. TARVER. This letter appears to make no reference to such a situation. If you will examine it carefully, I think you will find that that was not mentioned in the letter.

Mr. BLUMENBERG. No; it was not mentioned in the letter.

Mr. TARVER. As I stated, we have no evidence before us of that. The increase in the appropriation has been sought for use in conduct

ing experimental work, research work in timber products in the laboratory, not construction work.

Mr. BLUMENBERG. I believe that the American Federation of Labor was also informed of that fact. In fact, there were several communications, if my memory serves me right, forwarded on to President Green, of the American Federation of Labor, touching on the same subject.

The representative of the American Federation of Labor is here, and I do not know if he has any extra data to add to what I have already told the committee. If he has, he might want to present it. Mr. TARVER. We will be very glad to hear him if he wishes to be heard.

STATEMENT OF SPURGEON P. MEADOWS, LEGISLATIVE AGENT AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chairman, I wish to say that the question of the increased appropriation for the forest laboratory at Madison, Wis., was brought to the attention of President Green in the hope that he would lend what assistance he could for an increase on what had been proposed to this committee, and I believe that natter has been brought to his attention through the National Lumber Manufacturers Association.

Mr. TARVER. The interest of the Federation of Labor in the matter, as I understand it, is solely from the viewpoint that the experiments in the laboratory would tend to increase employment in private industry, but not from the standpoint of the employment of any members of the American Federation of Labor on the laboratory itself or in the construction of it.

Mr. MEADOWS. Not naturally so, Mr. Chairman, no; although I understand information has been put out that if the appropriation is not of sufficient amount it will probably be necessary to reduce or lay off some of the employees that are presently employed in order to carry on.

Mr. TARVER. We understood that the additional construction work had been completed there.

Mr. MEADOWs. I think all the construction work has beer. completed with the new buildings that have been put up. The intention is to enlarge the activities of the institution in research and laboratory work. I am not familiar with all the detailed activities of that institution, but I understand it has to do largely with new forest products and new forms of old products, so far as forestry is concerned, and no doubt with considerable reforestation, and naturally, with an industry as large as the woods products industry is, it is of considerable benefit to the country as a whole. We have not yet reached the place where we can entirely do away with wood. We still have it for construction work of all kinds, building construction, steamboat construction, and so forth.

So that undoubtedly it is a meritorious work. Otherwise Congress in the first place, 9 or 10 years ago, would not have enacted the legislation they did and recommended an appropriation of a million dollars annually to carry on this research work.

So that is the message I wish to bring you from the federation, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. TARVER. We thank you very much, Mr. Meadows, and you, Mr. Blumenberg.

Mr. MEADOWS. And any consideration that will be given along that line will certainly be appreciated by President Green.

Mr. BUCKBEE. May I ask a question, Mr. Chairman?

Mr. TARVER. Yes, Mr. Buckbee.

Mr. BUCKBEE. Am I right in assuming that the American Federation of Labor favors the Wisconsin experiment station in preference to a national experiment station?

Mr. MEADOWS. Well, not necessarily so. I would say, as I said a minute ago, I am not familiar with the detail of all the activities carried on up there, but I was assuming that it was possibly one experiment station. There may be more of them, for all I know, or there may be a national institution out at the site of this one. That was the only one that was brought to our attention.

Mr. BUCKBEE. I am quite sure that the members of the committee wanted to know whether your organization was in favor of a national experiment station rather than an individual State station.

Mr. MEADOWS. Well, naturally, we would favor a national institution, a national station. But it was not our understanding that this one at Madison was merely a State institution.

Mr. TARVER. No; it serves the entire country.

Mr. MEADOWs. Otherwise the McSwain-McNary legislation would not have been enacted, in the first place, and Congress would not have continued to make the appropriations they have, if it was not for national purposes.

Mr. TARVER. Gentlemen, we are very much obliged to your for your appearance.

Mr. BUCKBEE. Thank you very much.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1936.

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATIONS

Mr. CANNON. The following letter has been received from Mr. Brenckman of the National Grange, and will be inserted in the record: THE NATIONAL GRANGE, Washington, D. C., February 11, 1936

Hon. CLARENCE CANNON,

Chairman, House Subcommittee on Agricultural Appropriations,

House Office Building, Washington, D. C.

DEAR MR. CANNON: Kindly allow me to call to the attention of your committee a number of appropriation items in which the National Grange is especially interested.

That portion of our membership which is engaged in the dairy industry is concerned that adequate appropriations should be made for the elimination of Bang's disease, bovine tuberculosis, and for experimental work on bovine diseases, including mastitis.

Our contacts with the poultry industry convinces us that there is a genuine demand for more adequate statistics regarding this industry. We, therefore, respectfully urge that the appropriation of $25,000 asked for in this connection be granted.

We are likewise in favor of making an adequate appropriation for research in forest economics. A study is now under way in one locality in central New York, designed to develop methods of cutting, utilization, and marketing, together with organization of farm woodland owners, to the end that increased income may be

obtained from farm woodlands. An appropriation of $50,000 for the studies in the development of private forestry practice is requested. The Budget has approved $40,000 for this purpose. The increase in appropriation asked for is for the purpose of initiating two projects similar to the one in New York. One of these projects would be undertaken in the Central States and the other in the South. These projects are expected to serve as demonstrations and to help develop the skilled leadership necessary to greatly extend improved methods of woodland management throughout the country.

With further reference to the needs of the Forestry Service, range lands are to the West what cultivated lands are to the East and Middle West. The Western livestock industry using these lands for much of their feed is greatly hampered by depleted ranges as a result of a good many dry years and the difficulty of disposal of surplus animals during the depression. The 1934 drought brought a critical situation to the industry. Also in the South the extensive ranges available on cut-over forest lands offer an opportunity for considerable development that would mean much to the southern farmer in diversification. The situation is such that an increase of at least $100,000 is justified to strengthen work already under way in several regions and to initiate work in the Northwest and in the South.

For a number of years the Forest Service has had under way studies of watershed protection on forest and range lands, primarily in the southern Appalachians. South, Lake States, Southwest, Intermountain, and California regions. Some very valuable results have been obtained, of interest to farmers, especially in controlling erosion on abandoned fields which should go back to trees and in developing better watershed protection on western drainages above irrigation projects. This is one phase of forest investigations that has developed slowly. The forest and range watershed situation of the country as a whole is now recognized as of major importance. A program that provides for the national situation as a whole should be provided. For this purpose a substantial increase in appropriations is undoubtedly needed.

Very sincerely,

Index of projects covered by items in agricultural appropriation bill

Cotton and other fiber crops and diseases (Bu. Pl. Ind.)
Diseases of animals (Bu. An. Ind.).

Rubber and other trop. plants (Bu. Pl. Ind.).

Farm management (Bu. Agr. Econ.).

Home econ. inv. (Bu. Home Econ.).

Forage crops and diseases (Bu. Pl. Ind.).

Enf. F. and D. Act (F. and D. Admin.).
Acq. lands (For. Serv.).

Act of Mar. 16, 1906 (O. E. S.).

Seed inv. (Bu. Pl. Ind.).

Prot. and admin. N. F. (For. Serv.).
Aerology (Wea. Bu.).

Do.

Agr. chem. inv. (Bu. Chem. and Soils).

Perish. agr. commod. act (Bu. Agr. Econ.).

Agr. engr. inv. (Bu. Agr. Engr.).

Agr. exhibits (Ex. Serv.).

Insular exp. stations (O. E. S.).

Farm management (Bu. Agr. Econ.).

Agri. fires and expl. dusts (Bu. Chem. & Soils).

Farm management (Bu. Agr. Econ.).

Gen. wea. serv, and research (Wea. Bu.).

Agr. chem. inv. (Bu. Chem. and Soils).

Do.

Indus. util. of farm prod. and by-prod. (Bu. Chem. and
Soils).

Mark. and distr. (Bu. Agr. Econ.).

Indus. util. of farm prod. and by-prod. (Bu. Chem, and
Soils).

Mark, and distr. (Bu. Agr. Econ.).
Prot. and admin. N. F. (For. Serv.).
Nematology (Bu. Pl. Ind.).

Index of projects covered by items in agricultural appropriation bill-Continued

Seed, coloring under Seed Importation Act.. Seed inv. (Bu. Pl. Ind.).

By-products, forage, etc., control of impor- Insp. and quar. (Bu. An. Ind.).