The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-03
PRESERVATION OF FORESTS.

On June "a Mr.. Edmond s. Meany. Of
this city, press agent OF the state Worlds
fair commission, delivered An address on
The Preservation OF Forests" IN the
forestry section of the World Columbian
exposition. Mr.. Meany said, in part:
Thus it is shown that there are few
natural possessions that enter more largely
into the public welfare of any people than
do their forests. Is il not surprising that
At this day Of legislative advancement.
when ample laws are enforced regulating
the business Of common carriers; when
laws are made 70 regulate the entire water
supply in irrigated districts. when laws
are made regulating the operation OF
mines. when laws are made for the pro-
lection and comfort of operatives and en-
ployes IN mills and factories, that scarcely
any laws are made to save lives and prop
erty and 20 preserve the public comfort
and health by protecting from entire
destruction the forests OF the iandf
Our country is not entirely devoid OF
forestry laws. and the sentiment in favor
of more such laws Is increasing daily.
Thus Tar there Is very small percentage
Of American forest regions under govern.
mental control or management, but the
agitation that has been carried on SO ear
nesiiy for number of years by faithful
and enthusiastic scientists bore rich fruit
in the Law enacted by congress under date
OF March 3, 1901. by which the president
Of the United States is empowered to set
aside forest lands for reserves.
President Harrison acted very promptly
under this law in prociaiming reserve on
the White river plateau, in Colorado. EN-.
bracing the head waters Of the White,
Grand and Yampa rivers; another at the
head Of the Pecos river, in New Mexico;
also in charging the Yellowstone park,
the Yosemite park and by prociaiming the
Pacific reserve. The latter was proclaimed
on February 20 Of this year, and embraces
about 212 square miles. This reserve takes
in parts Of Pierce, Lewis. Yakima and Kit
titas counties, in the state Of Washington.
and il contains in all SO. $50 acres. Mount
Rainier. the chief snow peak Of the Cas-
cade mountains, IA 400 feet high, Is in the
center Of this reserve.
Other reservations have since been made
under this law and the American Forestry
Association. ever alert for such opportuni-
ties, 10 spving out new points OF import
ance for similar reservations.
Almost Immediately after the enactment
Of the forestry reserve law the American
Forestry Association sent to the president
. petition asking for the proclamation OF
eight important forest reserves, as fol-
lows:
l. The FIathead and Marias river region.
occupying the rugged and mountainous
continental divide in Northwestern Mon
tana.
q The rugged slopes of Pixies Peak in
Colorado.
3. The mountain region northeast of
Santa Fe. y. NJ. at the head Of the Pecos
and the Canadian rivers.
4. The Tulare region, comprising much
Of the western slope Of the Sierra Nevada
range in Eastern and Southern California.
5. The Crater lake region in Southeast
ern Oregon.
8. The Turtle mountain region in Bot
tineau and Rolette counties. North Da-
kota.
I. The Lost Park region in Colorado.
8. The unoccupied lands about the head
waters Of the Mississippi river, in North
ern Minnesota.
This petition was at once sent to the
secretary Of the interior to have the local
tiles investigated, and soon afterward
many Of the suggested reserves were pro-
claimed and are now lnder the control of
the government.
The wisdom of acting promptly under
| the provisions of this good law is self
apparent. especially to any one familiar
West and Northwest. Great areas of the
finest forest lands are ~ yet unsurveyed
by the United States government, but this
| fact proves but little objection to the en-
terprising settler and the ambitious squat
ter, whose sovereignty Is repeatedly sus-
j
on these valuable lands by platoons, by
| brigades and by regiments. Every true
| American must say to these independent
spirits, GOD speed and good luck" but
the unfortunate truth remains that their
individual rights ought not to interfere
with this great movement to place under
government control at least the forests
surrounding the sources Of the country's
great water supply and drainage system
| the rivers.
| BY securing control of an extensive sys-
] tenn Of these reservations, an immense
| stride forward will be made in the matter
OF the most important kind Of forestry
legislation.
Three or four large glacial rivers find
their sources at Mount Rainier in the new
Pacific reserve. Even now these rivers
overflow their banks and do great damage
TO crops and improvements in the ada
cent valleys. Every one knows that the
fnget sound region is heavily timbered.
and II these rivers overflow now what
would be the damage possible when the
valleys are more densely populated if the
forest protection were allowed to be re-
moved? Now We have assurance that
this desirable protection will at least re-
main unframed within the limits of the
| Pacific reserve. What is true of this re-
serve is undoubtedly true Of every other
reserve proclaimed under the new law.
| 1nere are many other reserves that
should he proclaimed in the Puget sound
region and in other Northwestern states
There should be reserves thrown about all
the great mountain peaks because there
are the sources ri the rivers. The Olym-
pic mountain range affords a splendid op-
| por.unIty for one or more reservations
stretching north and south along the
peninsula west OF Fuge, sound these
mountains are filled with magnificent and
untouched forests OF all the great cone
bearing trees of the West. The forests are
the homes Of rapidly disappearing eands
OF elk. Everything is perfect for ine pres
ervasion here OF forests primeval" more
81 than IN any other section OF the great
Northwest. The forests OF the great North
west are incompatible in their density.
In the state of Washington the standing
timber Is estimated st slo, $50. 3ao 90 feet.
These hgnges were compiled by counties
by the editors OF the Puget Sound Lumber
DSa. aud one OF the editors Informed me
that the figures were the result of lac
men work. and these men included the
j county surveyors of each county, besides
! many sumoerslen and Others in officl a.
and ~ private life. Similar methods were
! empoyeG IN obtaining this information
from the other Pacific coast states and the
result as taouiated is as follows:
/ Num- oerNunber OIL
| sIsfhs g. Acres ieet II Present