The sun., 1890-01-22
PRESERVING rHEADIRoNDAcK WooDS
The nile or the Forest Commission.

The RnIs or the Forest ComuiInsiou.
To THE ED1roR OF THE SuN-Sir: BY
tho courtesy OF the Secretary have received
copies OF four bills which the New York Forest
Commission has presented to the Legislature
| for enactment at this session.
Ono is designed to increase the efficiency
OF fire wardens in the forest preserve. One
| provides for q change OF venue In cases OF
| trespass on State lands, and another Is In.
| tended to prevent the extension OF railroads
across lands IN the care. custody. and control
OF tho state Forest Commission. The bill re-.
lating TO railroads may provoke discussion,
but nothing can be said against those regard
ing fire wardens and change OF venue and ss
they would promote efficiency Of administra-
tlon they ought to pass The remaining one
is an act to authorize tho purchase OF lands in
such counties as include the forest preserve.
1t provides that the Forest Commission. with
the approval and concurrence Of the Commits
sionets OF the Land ONCE, may purchase lands
in those counties at q price not to exceed one
dollar and fifty cents ner acre. with the re-
striction that no purchase OF lands shall be
made in excess Of previous appropriations for
that purpose.
This is the most important OF all the meas
ures proposed by the Commission. The lands
now held by the State are not In compact
DOuy, out arc ndue up Ol ulbtluCh tEuctS heps
arated from each other by private holdings,
some OF which are OF no great extent 1t 10
obvious that convenience and efficiency in the
care Of the forests would be promoted by the
acquisition by the State Of the tracts lying
between tho blocks of State lands The low
price per acre fixed in the bill and the limita-
tion OF purchases to the amount OF previous
appropriations for that specific purpose are
proper saleguards and render the measure en-.
tirely safe. hope tho amount of the appro-
priation asked for will not be large. 1t Is not
named in the copy sent to me. The important
thing is to make a beginning in the direction
Of the gradual acquisition by the State OF the
lands of least value in tho Adirondack region.
The discussion Of this proposition should lead
to n better popular understanding OF the Adj.
rondack situation and OF the real nature OF it's
probloms. There is need OF little analysis
Tho State owns more than 100000 acres OF
forest land 1t should take care OF 1t. guarding
1t against forest fires and thefts OF timber
But this does not mean that the trees should
stand till they rot down. Tho timber should be
used when tits at its best. That is what it is
for. The cutting should be done with judg-
ment and practical foresight, so rs not to in-
jure the young growth or destroy forest condi-
tions anywhere in the Adirondack region. II
this is done there will be a perpetual success.
sion OF crops Of timber, with no impairment Of
the fertility OF the soil
The care Of the State lands is o proper SUBJ
ject for legislation. but appeals for legislation
are often based chiefly on accounts of the
ravages of lumbermen. Of the cutting on the
lands OF private owners. who have q legal right
to cut their own timber as they please This
cutting is not subject for legislation. II any
body thinks we might enact and execute laws
to restrain people from cutting timber on their
own land. lot him try it. But that is not the
direction for effort on the part OF practical men.
The injury to the whole State. and especially to
New York city. from the methods used by
most lumbermen and owners of timber lands
is most serious. and will grow to traRical re-
suits II those methods are not changed. This,
however, is not q matter for legislation, but for
by organized effort for that object.
have nothing to say against lumbermen. l
suppose they are not less. or moro. civilized
than the rest of us. The reckless destructive
ness and disregard OF the future which many
Of them exhibit. are traits of our national
as We still show by our treatment Of
game animals. OF our fresh-water fishing in
'erests, and OF insoctivorous birds.
We shall have to interest engage, and od-
1cate the lumbermen. and get them to help
ls in the effort to establish a moro enlightened
Ind practical policy and method In cutting OF
1mber. and maintaining permanent forest con-
.ision"' eo 40 W nhFo . successlon OF crop6-
They ought to feel moro interest than most
'ther people In the permanent preservation of
he forests as a source Of revenue and profit to
themselves and to their children. but unfor-
unately they do not always act from enliRht-
med self-interest, any moro than the rest Of u.s.
While these mountain forests are In tho hands
" private owners, we must expect that they
will be utilized, as other property Is. for their
benefit. and 1t Is not reasonable to donounce
hem for managing their possessions for profit,
IS other people do. Hero are two lines Of work.
he encouragement Of forethought and wise
management among lumbermen and private
wners Of forest lands. and the discussion Of
he policy OF the gradual extension Of State
Wnership OF land in the Adirondack region.
ope the people OF New York will sustain their
crest Commission. I am very truly yours.
J. B. HARRISON.