New-York tribune., 1891-12-18
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
SAVE The FORESTS.
DAMAGE DONE BY RAILROADS IN THE ADiRoS-
DACKs

DACRs.
TO the Edi.or Of The Tribune.
Sir: Two notices in your paper within week, re-
garding the projected Adirondack and st. Lawrence
Railroad, and dispatch. also sent to The Tribune
some weeks ago. stating that the Forest Commission
had voted against the application for redemption and
cancellation OF 10000 acres In the Adrondacks de-
mand more notice than, perhaps, they will receive
from the casual reader Of the morning news. For
they Indicate that private corporation is most vgor-
ousy and seishy combating the public interests as
expressed In this action OF the Forest Commissioners.
namely, that railrosd for which there to be
no demand need. controlled by wealthy capitalist.
Is pushing lis way with and powder from the
Mohawk Valley. at IIerkmer. to the interior sof the
forests which guard the eight hundred lakes OF the
Adrondacks, with the ultimate design OF reaching the
st. Lawrence May 1t never get therei The ener-
getic power behind this bold pioject evidently knows
that public sentiment must gather long before it con-
centrates itself sufficiently TO nct and, consequently
hastens the work rapidly possible Thanks TO
the help OF the press. the legislators OF last year
turned the road aside from certain strips OF public
lands. lt needs 20 prevent the further condemna-
ton Of private property.
It Is to be regretted that the public-psrticuarly
the inhabitants Of the eastern and southern parts Of
New York Stae-are not better acquainted with the
present condition OF the Adirondack forests ard the
ger t,t threatens them from the encroa:hments OF
railroads and sawmills setting aside questions OF
sentiment. aid omittng any arguments and potent
have been. aud may be, adduced-for the appro-
priatIon Of the whole region public park in the
interests OF the hard working thousands who might
yearly breathe new life IN the air OF The pines and
balsams. the question OF ihe regulation of the
water supply OF the valleys OF the I'udstn and MO
hawk Is too great TO Ire passed by with SO little at
tcntion IL is receiving particularly so after the
waning given the people OF Newfork ana vicinity III
te low reservoirs Of the present fall There seems To
be but one opinoa among the guides and those WHO
are Fortunate enough TO be able O visit the woods
each season. namely. that railroads and lumbcrmen
mean barred aud denuded hills forest fires AID the dry
ing up of the great mat sponge which, filled with
moisture slowly distributes the water to the brooks
and lakes which, in turn, the continual supply Oh
the streams running out to the Hudson ana Mo
hawk. Take away dry up The sponge ana tS Shnc
results must follow as smaller scale. In
some places IN New-England where the forests have
been cut OF from rocky side hills. namely fresheo'
In the spring time or after great storms. dry courses In
the hot weather Of the summer and autumn Though
as all know, better examples OF the running OF ior'
mer water supplies seen In some regions OIL the ha
where large sections OF country which once supported
dense populations now next to uninhaoiaoic
through the drying up Of the streams when were tie
protected by timber. one need not be very ueep
student of physical geography to discover that precisely
The same result must follow in the Adirondack region II
a similar spoliatlon Is allowed. 1t Is hardly necessary
10 iheorze the subject One Tide over TIE Shalea"
gay Railroad which, unfortunately, has been built az
the northern edge Of the woods. where the once thick
moss is in many places burned and dried being washed
from lie rocks and which, even IL let alone VIII not
be restored fo perhaps century so that IL VIII 20
OF any use in holding supply Will convince tle
most scepca that freshets In he springtme and l.w
water in river and reservoir In the summer ana autumn
must follow the loss OF shade from the thln soil OF
mountain side. The great woods from Herkimer 70
Malone are surely intended to stand guard over over the
water supplies that are hidden away OH the hlls ana
valleys beneath their shade. The driving OF the deer
from their hiding places the loss OF the trout r3m the
lakes the contamination OF the basamic air, would be
enough to warrant the State In preventing any rampant
locomotive belching its destruction through these
defepceess forests When II threatens to spoil our lake
reservoirs II is time that the public voice be raised IN
protest. 49, -. -.
No new fact has been stated in this brief note
II is simply q continuation Of tho emphatic letters
sent TO The Tribune and other papers 'duilng the
last two years. and Is written In the hope that so
many Others will speak ard so strong sentiment be
brought to bear on the subject as TO render In I'M
possible any further progress OF this same rail-
road. Hundreds Of visitors to the woods this srm am.
mer expressed sentiments similar to the above, but
said what is the use Of my protest p :. Is s, asrs
NAV be gathered up and made efectlve9
' ~ MYRON r. SANFORD.
Uayerford College Dec. =, 1901.