Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1890-05-20
4 GOOD MEASURE
A Comprehensive and Admirable Fores.
try Bill lntr"1uced Ia CUuyr ess.
Mining and Scientific PressI

AA01uk 10O 0cle0tl0c ffe0DI
Hon. rhos. j. Clunie, in response
to public sentiment aud the msgni.
tude Of the irrigation, mining aud
numbering interests Of this State, pre-.
pared, anu on March goth introduced,
II. r. bill S459, providing Tor the
proper and systematic administration
of the public timber lands Of the
United States lying west Of the 9th
meridian OF longitude. Briefly, Mr.
Clunie's bill provides first, for the
temporary withdrawal Of all timber
lands; second, its classification into
three groups, to-wit;
Section LANDS distinctly forest
and of more value for the commercial
worth OF tho timber thereon than for
other purposes.
Section 81. lands more or less tim
bered, but Of greater agricultural than
forest value.
Section 3-Forest lands of direct
use in preserving existing Hydrologic
conditions, watersheds, etc.
Provision is made 70, the return o!
lands OF second section to the Depart
ment of the Interior as subject to
sale or occupation under existing laws.
Ali others are declared to be forever
the inalienable forest reserves of the
United States.
Provision Is made for a forest COM
missioner and four assistants, who
shall be "proper persons, versed IN
matters pertaining to forestry" and
who shall be required to give practical
oversight to and direct the care of the
forest districts to which they may be
assigned.
To encourage and stimulate ou'
great lumber industries, provision il
made for tue sale OF timber (by STUN
page) upon LANDS OF the first and
third classification, subject only t.
such reasonable restrictions against
waste and despoilment as the com
mission may impose. Fines anr
punishmen,s are provided TOR licensed
timber or fuel cutters who violate
the regulations of the commission
and l,k. wise agains. depredators anc
trespasscrs upon these reserves.
In view of the heavy revenue tina
will pass through the hands OF tn
commission. commensurate bonds ar
properly exacted of them; also AL an
nual report to Congress. One OF thu
strongest features OF the bill is ont
providing that this commission shs
be within the Department of A9rl
lculture. an assurance itself to irrigs
tors and farmers that t..eir interest
will be closely watched.
\ Mr.. Clunie, while closely following
the general recommendations OF tn
California State Board Of Forestry
its recent memorial to Congress-, ha
elaborated the details Of a most co"
prehensive and admirable foresti
hill. not alone cred,sable to himsel
but calculated to serve all the 'nteres
nyolved-ao'a yonize none. Am
tho mass of legislation now oeto
Congress bearing upon the reclaim
ton and irrigation Of waste and ar
, lands. none is more germane to Il
matter than this bill, nor more pra
teal aud sta,esmanlike i'll its apple
ton. -. =,
j. Patriotic pride in California, h
= mag niticent forests, stupendous III
pstiup systems and her resource
~ should lead US to unite with Mr.. u
j. ME in desiring to plac" the State
;. record .s = pioneer in this direc.ic
r and it il to be hoped that he will ha
;. the unqualified Endorsement OF be
. press and the public, with all the
q luencc they can bring to bear up
+ the COMMITTEES on Arid Lands, ten
b inc to the adoption Of this bill.
. This measure has been submit
:. Ia . sub. com mi,t . of the House CO
~ posed OF Lewis F. Watson. cha'rm'
Pennsylvania; Ersstus D. Turn
p Kansas; Jos. NJ. Carey. Wyom'r
re John Quinn, New York.
10 Friends of forestry are invited
communicate with this committee,
- cling upon them considerst,o" OF
y merits of Mr.. Clunie's bill and
ne voca.ing its passage.