New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-18
THE WRECK or THE ADROND4CRS.

4 correspondent of THE TRIBUNE predicted
last winter. after an investigation OF the oah-
GERS that Immediately threatened the Aaron
dack forests that no previous season Would
show so long and gloomy record OF inroadS
unon that great possession a. the season now
nossinp Late reports of what is going on
in the North Woods amply justify that de-
snondent forecast. Railroads and lumDermen
are swiftly approaching each other from al
MONTH"; carrying present destruction anu une
certainty of permanent decay Win theIh' We
are not so sanquine as to believe that any array
of facts. however startling, or OF deducuohs'
however omnous. could produce an instant
general and profound impression upon the pub
lie mind. The voice Of those who have been
crv;nr in the wilderness for years past mas
never succeeded in arousing genuine seiisa-
ton of concern through wide circle. we nave
believed. however, that popular sentiment
was slowly forming which would ultimately
bo nowerful enough to rescue considerable
no,t Of q fair and noble endowment OF nature
from further disntegration and ruin. we are
NOT vet willing to abandon that hope, but it
must be acknowledged that tho present. OUTLOOK
is extremely discouraglng
Some steps wero taken by the Legislature
last winter which, though short and feeple'
were in the right direction. The power 10
make a useful beginning is ia the hands Of an
official body of men who have not hitherto
bccn thought to be either ignorant or entirely
indifferent An investigation Is supposed to
be in progress at the present moment lor inc
rn,nose Of acouainting the next Legislature
with the actual and prospective condition oil
the Adirondack region, and OF proposing
plan of operations. We do not wish 10 con-
denim the sloth Of Commission which, though
nothing has been heard Of il for months past,
may nevertheless be doing some useful work
in secret. II is a fact however, that no cam
naign of an aggressive. instructive and morally
stimulating character is anywhere in progress
Tho Adirondack Park Association includes
many individuals who are intensely in earnest
about this matter and who have performed
useful and unscliSh service to the state by
encouraging, so far as they were able every
form of opposition to the ruthless wrccklnc OF
an invaluable domain. The building up OF an
inteliccn, popular opinion is of very great
importance To- the cause but that work Is slow
tedious and hitherto :llrcwardcd. At the
nrcsent rate Of progress toward sound con
yiction on this subject the treasure will have
been stolen long before the barriers are erected
II is desirable that the forestry Commission
should understand that, in the opinion OF the
few whose opinion will ultimately be that OF
all. they have accepted a very grave response
bility. II they let the season slip away with
Slicht and nconStant attention 10 their duty
and appear at Albany next winter with eX.
cusos instead of n report which shows hard
work and proposes definite action they will be
condemned by that element in the community
whose condemnation is not u pleasant thing
for intelligent citizens 10 bear.