The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-17
CUTTING THE TIMBER.
Policy or the Government In Its
Disposition Under Present
Regulations,
The LOSS of a Vast Sum to the
Taxpayers of the
State.
Gov. TO0le Calls Attention to the Whole
sale Cutting of Timber Upon tho
Public Domain.

Gov. Toolc makes some timely remarks
upon a subject of great Importance to the
state. In an interview with 4 representa-
tive Of The INDEPENDENT he said yesterday:
"While in Washington / had occasion to
look n little into the timber business. 1t
will stand investigation. 10 the present
policy of the government respecting tho
disposition Of its timber just to the statep
We all agree hat the largest liberty should
be given to the miner, tho ptospector and
settler in the acquisition of timber neces-
sary for mining, agriculture n domestic
purposes, but is the same liberal policy I'M
der present conditions necessary or proper
so far as the manufacture and Gale OF lum-
Der is concerned? In the absence OF legia-
lation authorizing the sale Of timber lands it
seems that the same rule ought to apply.
But what good reason can be shown why
such lands ought not to be sold? Under
the instructions of the honorable secretary
Of the interior, dated May s, 1891, permits to
cut timber upon the public domain and
manufacture lumber therefrom may be is
sued TO persons applying therefor when it APP
pears that the same will not be detrimental
to the public interests. 1 maintain that
the state has a direct pecuniary interest in
these lands which such regulations infringe.
With perhaps the exception of the
Flathead country there is no section of the
state where timberg grows. of any CONNER
cial value after the timber is removed. By
the act admitting us into the union the
state is entitled to Ave per cent. of the sale
of all public lands as a permanent school
fund. These lands being valueless after
tho timber is cut the loss of this five per
centum to the state is apparent.
under the present arrangement there is
great danger of a few persons by their supe-
rior vigilance securing a monopoly Of the
timber lands or rather permits to cut the
same, thereby shutting out the settler,
miner and prospector, the very persons
whom the law designed to protect. This
involves several serious objections: First.
it tends to run out small mill men and
thereby stiles competitions; second, it is an
inducement to denude the water sheds in
advance of the demand for lumber; third,
it subjects the surplus product to the con-
tingency of fire, which would result not
only in q loss to the individual but to the
whole state.
'If permits are granted only upon the
applications now pending (seventy days
after the regulations are promulgated) over
800, 600 600 feet of lumber and 35O,OOO cords
of wood will be cut. This means the de-
nuding Of millions of acres of land. This
seems to be a necessary loss to secure the
upbuilding of this young state, provided nc
other means are offered by the United
States to procure it. But, as before sug-
gested, why not sell it2
'In my Judgment, the plain duty of con
gress when it meets 10 to provide for the
sale of timber lands, under such regula.
tions as will prevent a monopoly thereof,
deserving the mineral therein and the right
to prospect for the same. This would save
to the state an immense fund for our public
schools, which would be created by the five
per centum upon such sales, and preserve
our forests and watersheds against destruc-
ton in advance of the demand for the man
featured product. The loss of SO vast @
sum as is involved under the present regu-
lations will not be looked upon acquies.
Gently by those who have to pay taxes. II
We lose this interest, to which the state il
entitled, to that extent we impose a tau
upon the whole community or suffer oul
school system to fall that much below the
measure of excellence to which it ought tc
attain. A little vigilance now will be re.
warded. After a while it will avail moth.
Ing"