New-York tribune., 1884-01-14

prIuoipal streams Of Northern Eew-York; the pro-
lection of the farming lands and other property IN
the lower valleys, and the protection OF the puDllo
b.aItb II ia this fourfold public necessity which
iustfes the State in exercising its highest powers
either to condemn and take the Adirondack lands
by the right of eminent domain, or to assume such
control over them is necessary TO prevent puOlo
calamity. IF, appears, the public interests IN
voved give the State extreme powers in this mat
ter how shall the sovereign people proceed 10 ex-
ercise their powerf
INDUSTRIES THAT DEMAND PROTECTION.
Those who demand that all wood-cutting in tho
Adirondacks should Immediately be stopped by
legislative enactment forget that In the great cir
cuit of nearly four hundred miles which measures
the circumference of these North Woods" there
has grown up chain of prosperous industries based
on the using of wood and employing probably not
less than 10000 people; and that in these various
enterprises many millions of capital invested
The principal industries are numbering, saw milling,
the getting of tan-bark. the making of charcoal
iron, woodpulp manufacture. and tho burning of
lime To facilitate these undertakings many miles
of railroad have been built and are dependent on
their prosperity Any sudden check to these buSl-
neSses would occasion widespread disaster through
the northern counties of the State
1t has not think been shown that it is necessary
TO stop any of these industries in order to secure
the preservation of the forests. Granted that the
preservation of the woods is essential to the welfare
of the State it does not follow that the cutting OF
trees must stop. The protected forests OF Europe
produce annually enormous quantities of valuable
woods for lumber and other purposes, but they I'M
prove rather than deteriOrate. If, therefore, the
Adirondack woods were cut in proper way they
would be preserved and answer all public purposes
of water storage, while at the same time yielding
ample revenue to their owners
THE POWER AND DUTY THE STATE.
To preserve these forests two things are required
namely the cutting of the trees under proper forest
ry regulations and supervision, and the protection
of the woods from fire. No one doubts the power Oh
the State to take these lands by the right of eminent
domain at an appraised value. Since the greater
includes the less has not the State also the right to
acquire any partial control over the use OF such
land, controlling the lands only so far as Is
necessary to secure public safety If such control
as the State would exercise in this matter can be
shown to deprive the private owner of part OF his
property to his damage this loss might be appraised
and paid for In reality there would be no damage
bat decided gain to private owners If, by thorough
supervision Of the forest. the fires which now make
the value of woodlands so uncertain could be ma
terally diminished in number aud extent. State
Forestry Commission with powers and means and
knowledge could, by proper methods, here as in
other countries, enormously reduce the annual loss
| from fires. Such protection would greatly 0eneht
all owners of woodland and far more than compen-
safe for any temporary inconvenience felt or ianced
! from the enforcement of proper rules respecting
| cutting and repiantng. 1t is well known by eX-
perence that forests cut in the best way yield in the
| long run much more good lumber than when
worked under tho wasteful methods which have
| been too common in this country.
| Instead therefore, of looking toward purchase
by the State of this great tract of woods, is 1t not
better that the State in its sovereign capacity for
the preservation of its commerce and the protection
of the property and heath of its citizens should as
sumo control of these forests only far as may be
necessary for their preservation and make and en-
force through Commission the necessary rules
and regulations. Is not State control better than
! State ownership Very truly yours,
JAMES +. GARDINER,
Director of the State Survey.
albany, January IL, 1854.