New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-18
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
DANGERS TO THE ADIRONDACK WOODS.
DEFECTS IN THE PLANS NOW PROPOSED FOR
THEIR PROTECTION

DEFECTS IN THE PLANS NOW PROPOSED FOR
THEIR PROTECTION.
TO tho Editor Of The Tribune
sir; The Adirondack Woods this ycnr threat
cncd ly tie greatest enemy they have, namely PEE
tended friends who. the better 70 mask Their selfish
ends have Joined forest preservation societies ard
other Adirondack clubs. Thus disguised. they urge
with effect and without creating any suspicion as 80
their motives. the adoption of measures which will
inevitably result In destroying those grand woods
and primarily increase In the price which the
state VII have 10 pay 10 acquire the land necessary
for their protection.
The most insidously dangerous recommendations
now urged are Railroads, whether under approval
of the Forestry Commissioners any one else cut
ting of timber. under superviS on: leasing Of small
tracts two acres TO individuals. Even the Forestry
Commissioners nnOccntly urge these In their
report. The first recommendation is by long odds
the worst, but the second necessates the first. and
the third Is gross injustice all except the favored
few Lat me state few indispuable facts:
First. The forests are now In existence solely and
only because the trees worth cutting conld not be
got out to raj or water.
second That unless the damming Of certain creeks
and the building of railroads permitted, the woods
are comparatively safe, except from the ravaGcs Of
pulp mills and fire, the former being the most
destructive
Third That the dan,mng Of creeks and the raising
NJ the level of lakes destroys permanently both the
staiding timber and underbrrsh large areas. and
eectually prevents regrowth Railroads, apart from
furnishing means of carrying cut the timber in
var!ably cause the burning of the underbrush, so
necessary to tho protection of the young cOniferous
trees from the sun.
Fourth. The prospect that railroad may crentu-
ally reach a tract of Inaccessible timber imme'
diaely raises Its value from dollar an acre to sew
eral dollars, depending on the remoteneSs OF such
prospect"
Ibo, raiir arr In
built except under the pcr-son OF the Commissioners
Well. we all know what That will amount to- When
there is an opportunity to advance the value Of tract
of land, of say 100000 acres, from a. an acre 10
500 by making its standing wood accessible to market
some way will lie found 20 get "permisson.' whether
now or ten years hence 1ic only safe course Is the
absolute prohibition of railroads for all time There
is nothing for them TO carry except lumber They
have no business there. Besides, what sehSiDc n'al
wanting to buy certain tracts OF land aa chcdpF Us
possible would begin 10y holding out TO me owners
the prospect Of a railroad Why. therefore, should
the Commissioners recommend II measure "h'h VIII
put mp the market value OF me Ind nrorc o3 'i,i
buy it for account of the state, thereby CONTINUOUSLY
increasing the cost 70 the people me same arTn
will apply 20 the cutting OF the larger umnef
under supervision" That means railroads, dams
sawms. more pulp mills and the maj destruction
of the woods. The theory know Is pretty. men
only angels, but we must take human nature
As to the third proposal it is an old Job which two
nrctiraIy the appropriation of the choicest spots in
the woods and particularly the islands, intending thn
islands in Lake George, by favored few alter Inc
slate has paid for them. We might Just as well lease
choice spots in Central Park TO those who may have
The cash and the pull" 10 obtain such privileges
am so peculiar 70 believe II TO he the duty OF the
Legislature its agents 10 get the land as chcapy a.
for all time for the benefit Of all the people To do
this absolute prohibition o railroads Is the first ncceN
slry step. This will check the rise In the price OF
land which three years ago was unstable at 81 an
acre Then. II the state will prohibit the drawing OF
across its land from private lands and Will pro
hbit timber cutting is own land. or the Heating
of timber on its lakes it buy all the land II wants
chcaply. ~
Tie legislature will consider this matter at This
session and great danger thai the recommended
tinuS of the Forestry Commission will be adopted.
New York, Feb. 10, 1891. W. i. ATTERBUR1.