The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-29
TO PRESERVE THE TREES.
ObIects Of the American Forestry As
ISOLATION

the causes OF their unnecessary ucNaf. N"t
only is the loss 10 the forests by Dre and
theft estimated at $40. 900, 900 annually, but
their destruction means an INJURY 10 the
property Of the country contiguous TO them.
THE VALUE OF THE WOODS.
The association has presented 10 Con-
gress memorial ON the subject, from
which the following facts are CLEANED:
The greatest value Of these forests TO the
present and future inhabitants Of the West
ern states is i'm the assistance they render
10 agriculture through their influences on
the water supply and the climate. The
mere loss o. national property, though
measured by millions, can be endured. The
absence Of a timber supply at home can in a
measure be made up for by purchases from
more prudent foreigners. and by the sub
etitutiOn Of other materials IN the place OF
wood products. But there IS absolutely
nothing. natural or artificial, that will take
the place OF the mountain forest as regu-
latOr Of rain fall and water supply. Every
inland region without forests ~ region
Of long drOughts. varied by destructive
storms. Every mountain region without
forests is a region whose streams, instead
Of watering the valleys below with con-
slant and adequate flow, alternately
dwindle into insignificance and swell into
raging torrents. not only flooding the eoun-
from the mountain sides. Great as Is the
damage. caused by the loss Of mountain
forests, rs a region naturally well watered,
IL would render agriculture impossible IN
that extensive district which has so recently
begun 20 be rendered fertile by the use Of
irrigation. No system Of reservoirs, even
the most costly and ingenious, can take the
place Of the forests on any large scale.
The most that il can do is TO cooperate with
them.
sit is respectfully suggested that the
true value and usefulness Of these noun
tain forests has never been properly con-
sidered by the government IL has appa-
rently never realized that mountain forest
land differs from all other land in this i'm
pOrtant respects that its condition cannot
substantially be changed without disas-
trOus results: that il must, for. the sake OF
the properly agricultural land, always re-
main i'm forest ON the contrary, it has been
sold and given away like other land, with
out any restrictions whatever upon ITS use
i'm private hands. although the experience oil
every nation shows that the National Gov
eminent alone has the power and the means
for the best forest management, and that its
power must be eXerted even over private
forest property in order TO prevent disaster
to the community from the action Of mai
yiduals.
Timber cutting has been permitted on the
lands vet uns0ld. but under impractical re-
strictiOns as 10 use, without any regard 10
proper methods and with no compensation
10 the government. The necessity Of timber
as an article Of merchandise, and the impos-
sibiity Of obtaining it legally from the
public lands for that purpose, have meYlta-
Div led to enormous thefts Of timber and
fraudulent acquisition by few individuals
and corporations OF large tracts Of land 20
which actual settlers only were legally en-
titled. While millions upon millions OF dol
lars worth OF timber have becn stolen, both
| for home and export trade, the pltliul sum
recovered barely covers the cost OF prOsecu-
tiOn. Lastly, the utter absence OF prOtec-
ton from fire has led 10 the destruction OF
enormous tracts which will very slowly, If
ever be covered again by forest growth Of
any value.
''The time has come when change in
] these methods is absolutely necessary, and
| il Is urgently called for by thousands Of pee
pie whose future depends on irregular water
supply.
"While the immediate withdrawal OF the
public forest lands from sale and entry is
absolutely essential as a first step TO their
preservation as forests. il viii not Of itsell
secure this end. The destructive fires and
extensive thefts will go on as before. still
less will the mere reservation OF the land
enable the timber 10 be properly utilized.
These lands must be ADMINISTRATORS
tected from fire, and the timber cut only
when ripe and with view 10 constant
new growth Temporarily some portion OF
the army can be employed TO guard these
lands. until practical system Of admins
tratiOn. a cOmmOn-sense application Of sci-
entifc knowledge. and the experience 0i
other progressive nations to the needs Of the
place and the time, can be successfully liz
augurated. The organization Of such am
administration can best and soonest De
effected by a commission Of competent men,
appointed for the purpose"
THE PROPOSED BILL.
Following is the text Of the bill proposed
For the reservation and protection Of forest
lands on the public domain. and toestabiish
a commission 10 examine into the condition
Of the said lands and 10 report plan for
their permanent management.
Whereas, the permanent preservation and
proper administration OF sufficient iorett
area. especially upon mountain slopes and
about the head-waters Of streams, are absO-
lutely necessary 10 preserve and regulate the
water supply, and 10 protect the agricultural
Interests Of q large and rapidly increasing
part Of the population, as well as TO provide
an adequate timber supply for the same Tor
all future time, and 10 prevent destructive
occurrences Of drought and Hood, and where
as the forests upon the public lands Of tie
United states nre being rapidly destroyed by
the ravages Of FIRE, and by reckless cutting OF
Timber both with and without authority.
Therefore. be IL enacted by the senate and
House Of Representatives, oi the Jhited
states Of America In Congress assembled,
That the unsurveyed public lands OF the
United states embracing natural forest or
which are less valuable for agriculture than
for forest purposes, and all public lands re-
I D.. HNa
lands shall be and the same hereby are with
drawn from survey, sale, entry, or disposal
under existing laws, except as hereinafter
provided nor shall any timber be cut Or re-
moved from the said lanis except for the
actual needs OF persons upon the said lands,
engaged In carrying out the purposes OF this
act.
Sec. , That during such period as this act
shall remain in force, the President Of the
United states shall. on request Of the Secre-
tarv OF the Interior and the Commission TO
be appointed under this act, designate pOr-
ton or portions Of the military forces OF the
United states 10 guard ali or any part Of the
! lands reserved as aforesaid, and the timber
growing thereon, from IRE, THEFT ana use by
Unauthorized persons.
Sec. 3 That the President snail within q
reasonable time after the passage Of this act,
appoint by and with the advice and consent
OF the senate. three persons possessed Of a
knowledge Of the needs and uses Of forests,
who shall constitute The United states For
| this act is superseded by an act providing for
/ the permanent administration Of the forests
upOn the public lands IL repealed. The Presi-
dent may remove any commissioner, and any
vacancy in the Commission shall be filled by
him as is provided in .he case OF the original
appointments.
Sec. 4. That the duties Of the said commits
siOners shall be 10 personally examine the
lands reserved as Aforesaid, 80 as TO deter
mine what part or parts OF the said lands
ought 10 be permanently kept In forest and to
keen themselves constantly informed as 10
! the condition Ofthc same, and on or before
the opening Of the second session OF this
Congress, 10 present their report 10 the
President for transmission TO Congress.
stating in full plan for the proper manage
ment OF the forests upon the said lands aud
the said commissioners shall make such fur
ther reports from time 10 time as they may
deem necessary until this act shall be re-
pealed or superseded as aforesaid.
sec. b. That the said commissioners shall
each receive a salary Of three thousand dol
lars Ter annum, aud shall be paid their ne
cessary travelling expenses incurred In the
discharge Of their duties as commissioners.
The commission shall be provided with an
office In the Department Of the Interior and
shall be authorized TO employ clerk al the
rate OF one thousand I'VE hundred dollars q
year.
SEQ a. That all acts and uarfs OF acts fneon-