l, W;l[;or?t. Botk Co*pana

' Importers and BrokersPTYWOOD & LUMBER

KEpubkc 1-8726

From the Orient O 1996 West Waslfi:ngton Bhtd. O Los Angeles 78, Cqlifornia

Tegislative Outtook

(Continued from Page 4)

Study Commissions in the states, and a National Land Study Board of Review. This legislation reflects to some degree the recommendations of the Hoover and Kestnbaum Commissions of several years ago concerning the need for a study of Federal land ownership.

In other action involving land acquisition, Representative Teller of New York reintroduced his bill which proposes to establish a Commission to study the adequacy of compensation in Federal landacquisition cases. While no action was taken on this bill during the first session, the House Public Works Committee members may decide to hold hearings this year. This matter is important to the lumber industry because of the loss of land it is experiencing in connection with the construction of Federal dams and other projects.

An omnibus road bill (5. 2240) was introduced in the Senate, and companion bills were introduced in the House, which would authorize increased appropriations for national forest roads, would restrict timber purchaser construction of roads, require operators to pay for road maintenance in lieu of operator maintenance, and affect operators in other respects. Another proposal (5. L797 and H. R. 7320), sponsored by the Administration, contains a provision identical to one found in 5.2244, which could require'an operator to grant the U. S. Forest Service his road system or right-of-way (under terms and conditions established by the Forest Service) under threat of losing his statutory right to cross national forest land to get to his i property. Both proposals will likely receive attention in this session.

Industry is beginning to focus attention on a bill (S. 2a59) bV Senator Murray of Montana which would provide for a council of advisors on natural resources and a national conservation policy under anr arrangement similar to that of the President's Council of Economic Advisors. Hearings early in the second session are predicted on this measure.

The proposed National Wilderness Preservation Act continues before the Senate Interior Committee which has tentatively modified the bill in numerous 'respects. It is likely that a wilderness bill in modified form will be reported by the Committee and pass the Senate in 1960 unless strong op,position again develops. It is doubtful that the House will act unless a bill is referred to it by the Senate.

Several bills regarding compliance of Federal agencies with state water laws resulted in extensive hearings last session by the House Interior Committee. These bills acknowledge the authority of the states over the app,ropriation, use and distribution of water within their boundaries and bind the Federal government to water rights acquired under state laws.

On the other side of the ledger, a Senate Select Committee on National Water Resources was established which may recommend increased Federal control over the nation's water resources. Nineteen hearings by the committee were held in various locations about the country last year.

It is impossible to predict with any certainty what the course of the foregoing legislation will be in an election year, but it is possible to predict that spending and business control advocates in Congress will increase their efforts. Lumber interests will concentrate upon each action in the chambers of Congress to assure that the laws that are enacted will enable the industry to flourish in the national interest.