New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-09
SHALL THERE BE A STATE PARKf
SOME ACTION MUST BE TAKEN QUICKLY AS TIL

soM1 ACTION MUST BE TAKEN QUICKLY AS THE
VALUE OF THE TnMBER-LAND Is INCREASING.
The public is becoming generally interested in the
efforts Of the Forest Commission toward the establish
ment of a State park in the Adirondacks. member
of this Board said to reporter Thursday morning
"The Governor Of this State sent message to the
Legislature Of 1890 recommending the establishment
Oft State park, having for its object the preservation
Of the watersheds, tile protection Of the forests for
sanitary purposes and the general advantages en-
braced under the term forestry. This report
ferred to the Senate Committee on Finance, which
made its report, which agreed substantially with the
views Of the Governor In favor Of the establishment
of park provided the project could be carried out in
a feasible manner. The whole subject was then re-
fcrred by the Legislature to the Forest Commission for
investigation which instructed to report to the
Legislature in 1901.
The Forest Commission was established by act Of the
Legislature In 1885, which act also created what Is
known as the Forest Preserve, comprising twelve
northern counties In the Adirondack region and four
in the Catskill region. 1t the idea Of the friends
of the park scheme to create plan which would be
more effective in the way of forest preservation than
that of the adherents Of the Preserve. The idea of
having a State park took with the public generally,
and the developments of last summer have shown with
out doubt that there is strong feeling in favor Of
the establishment Of such park. The Commission,
which has been lately making many Investigations.
has decided that such park should be established and
that it. required for the protection of watersheds.
notably that of tho Hudson River for the protection
OF forests for sanitary purposes and as great and
important game preserve, well for the protection
OF tho numbering industry.
"Under the present methods Of numbering the whole
North Woods will in few years entirely disappear, as
lpmbermen generally so careless in cutting timber
that they destroy all chance Of future growth and
and TINS really killing the
hen that lays the golden egg. There some few
Iumbermen however, who familiar with the
forestry methods Of Europe and who cut timber SO
judciousy that their property is in danger Of
being stripped Of trees. An important fact which is
recognized by the Commission is that there is an in
creasng demand for wood and that 1t must be saved for
future use. One Of the obstacles 10 the scheme at
first was the idea that it would cost the State too
much money to buy the lands required. The cost,
however as generally estimated In the public press
has been greatly exaggerated. Such sums as from
ST. {, 900 900 to $25. 100000 have been mentioned.
Those who ,havo investigated the subject gnost
thoroughly estimate that from So 100000 to $1,000,
900 will ample for the park if the negotiations shall
be judiciousy managed and that this will not b.
required all at once, bat be spread term OF
Another obstacle is owing to the fact that the lands
now owned by the state, amounting to several thou'
T. have Il separate R:rcsss oi and
and the question still is how acquire possession OF
this land held by private individuals. 1t has been
lature by which park may be secured reconcilable
with the retention Of the rights Of the previous own
land by purchase and by the right Of eminent domain
the latter has been laid aside by the Commission %
park has been estimated at 100000 acres. and the
largest at 100000 Popular opinion seems to
favor the latter limit.
"whatovsy is dope in this matter must be done now
or never. fimberlands constantly increasing In
virgin forest, was offered to tho Commission last
spring for IS all acre. 1t has since bcen sold for
bought to-day for So Prices are rising 80 fast that
will soon be out Of the power Of the State 70 secure
the land This shows that II the Commission had had
funds to buy this land 1t would have been good bgsi
ness Investment, not mere frfttering away OF the
Which would have Increased IN value yearly and would
have made large returns in future years to the state
secure legislative assistance in order successfully to
carry out the project