St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-05
FOREST PROTECTION.

In a communication published else
where, j. 0. BARRETT, secretary of the
Minnesota State Forestry association,
supplements Mr.. FERNows recent ex-
PLANTATION of the results expected to be
gained by national park reserve Of
timber. incidentally. Mr.. BARRETT re-
plies to certain objections to the project
editorially noted in the GLOBE of the
I'd inst.
Upon this subject the GLOBE would
be distinctly understood as speaking
solely with reference to the national
park scheme embracing some 6,000.OO0
acres OF timber. This, as we understand
Mr.. FERNoW, is in no way connected
with the 40,0oO-acre reserve first con-
templated by the Minnesota State For
eStry association. The GLOBE is far
from being antagonistic to any judicious
plan for the preservation of government
timber, either from trespaSsers Or an
nual fires. But this protection, the
GLOBE holds, should be accomplished in
such way that all expense should be
borne by the parties materially and di-
reetly benefited. The general public,
already overtaXed by burdensome tariff
laws. should not be called upon to pay
large salaries to another Sub-department
of the agricultural bureau for that
which is of practical benefit to but few
special interests. The petition signed
by prominent citizens of Minnesota, ask
ing for timber protection, was crudely
worded. This is admitted by Mr.. BAR
RETT, and on the 18th the GLOBE asked
for further light upon the scheme. Mr..
FERNow has cautiously replied in a
carefully prepared explanation of the
details contemplated. AS stated on the
I'd inst. by the GLOBE. the plan en-
braces too large augmentation of gov
eminent officeholders. too great show
Of paterDalism, and too little assurance
that the people contributing to the en-
terprlse will receive any real or lasting
benefit. Mr.. BARRETT claims that the
time the petition was circulated the
scheme was ''open to far more obj &C.
ton" Not at all. The plan was then
not thoroughly formulated. 1t was in a
nebulous state. 1t might have solidified
into scheme of undoubted economy
and practicability. But, as now defined,
it becomes Objectionable for reasons al
ready stated in the GLOBE.
Mr.. BARRETT dWells with considera.
bic emphasis and pertinacity upon the
probable cost of the timber sequestra-
ton. This is an important item. and
one which renders it difficult to strike a
balance favorable to the real capitalists
investing Ill the enterprise-the public.
1t is difficult to see why man living
| down IN Texas or on the borders of the
| Everglades of Florida should be asked
| to pay for a government patrol of the
forests of the Northwest. Yet that is eX
actly what is contemplated by the meas
ure. Still, the probable cost in sight is
| as nothing compared to the aftermath
| of expensive Official ornaments, clerical
additions from day to day, patronage
qualifications and congressional investi
| cations certain to follow in the wake
| of a newborn addition to govern
mental espionage. The first cost
is comparatively small item
The greater evil lies in oyer-pater
nalism and a vast increase in mino
| officeholders without fair prospect oil
| compensatory value. The GLOBE is
not in position to formulate bettel
plan than the one proposed. as is Sug.
gested by Mr.. BARRETT. There viii
always be timber thieves. the sam,
as there will always be treasury