New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-30
TIE ADIRONDACK QUESTION.

/ THE ADIKJNIdCh QCIIc IION.
The Chamber of Commerce bill to provide
for the protection of the Adirondack forests,
which was introduced in the Assembly yester
day. ismuch namowerinits scope than the meas
ure proposed by Senator Lansing. 1t relates
only to the forests on the southern slope, about
the head-waters of the Mohawk and the Hud
son, leaving out of consideration the woods on
the St. Lawrence side of the watershed; pro-
vides for commission to find out what lands
the State should buy; and makes an apprOpria-
ton of 100000 for purchase-mOney. The
discussion which the preparation of these two
measures has called forth has been of great pub
lie service. 1t has served t. fix the attention Of
the public upon the Importance of forests i'll
their controlling influence in regulating the flow
of streams and thus indirectly upon commerce
and agriculture. The subject Of forest preserya-
ton is now discussed, often intelligently, by
persons who up to a very short time ago had
been in the habit of thinking of forest, if they
thought about it at all, as a thing only useful
in supplying lumber, and therefore to be cut
down and got out of the way As quickly as
possible.
But the discussion over the Adirondack for
ests has changed this. By showing the actual
condition of the upper Hudson River and the
extent and character of the water supply upon
which the Erie Canal must depend for its exist
ence it has made it clear to all that not only is
the general proposition that forests influence
the flow of streams correct, but in the case of
this particular forest that the streams flowing
from it have already greatly Suffered in its par
tal destruction, and that if this destruction is
continued, their supply of water must continue
to suffer propOrtiOnately also.
This discussion, however, while it has de-
velOped strong and encouraging interest in the
preservation of the Adirondack forests, in some
quarters has also made it evident that there is
strong opposition organized at Albany to pre-
vent any legislation 10 secure through State in
reference their protection from the dangers
now most menacing them.
The lumbermen who control the remaining
forests of Northern New-York object to any
scheme which may in any way interfere with
the profits they expect to obtain by cutting
down these forests. Whatever may be said of
the shortsighted methods of the ordinary
American lumberman, which sweep away the
whole forest without provision for its contnu-
ance, as a good business policy, there can be no
doubt Of their entire right to destroy these for
ests if they choose to do so. The lumbermen
have rights in the Adirondack forests which
cannot be intcrfered with unless means Of COM
pcnsation are provided for. The State will
however, be justified in taking possession of
such lands as ii may find necessary to control,
because the destruction of the forests growing
upon these lands will cause a great and serious
injury to the whole State. The Constitution
provides the methods by which such land can be
taken, and the owners settled with.
But this is just what the lumbcmcn object to- |
They are unwilling that anything should be |
done about the Adirondack forests until they |
have cut out the valuable timber. They c xpcct !
a very large profit from the manufacture Of the !
timber growing upon these lands. The titles |
also. to property in the wilderness are in a very |
mixed and uncertain condition the bOundarie, |
of estates are often not laid down at all or |
when laid down are often disputed. Men, |
who are cutting logs may often DE de
ceiycd and cut from State lands or the lands of |
other owners. The control of the whole region |
by the State would do away, among other |
things, with the possibility Of these little errors
Of Judgment Lumbcrmen, therefore, believe
that on the whole things had best be left as
they me and that it will be time enough for
Inc State to protect the forests after they are
,ut down. A special Senate committee, the
members of which made short investigating
rip over some of the most freQuented routes of
he Wilderness last summer, and have since
listened to various lumbermen and railroad
officials, favor the lumbcrmcns idea and object
% any purchase of lands by the State. They
lrguo that it is needless for the State to pur-
;hase these lands, because forest lands have been
given to the State in years past, and that there
ore the State is bound TO get more presents of
he same Sort and that gradually the whole