The herald., 1895-01-31
THE CHAMBER Of COMMERCE,
Directors Hold an Important
Session.
4 Protest Against Reduction of
Forest Reservations.
A Lecture ON Ramie Cuiture Arrange d
fora Good Roads Delegate
Appointed.


following directors: freeman, Lsnker-
shin. Siimson. Oohn, King. Parsons,
NoGarvin, Patterson, Graf, klohke,
Francisco and Jones. President Free
man occupied the chair.
The following were elected TO msm-
bership:
Frank M. Chapman, fruit grower.
M. @. Omission, fruit grower.
It Was moved and carried that Abbot
Kinney DO requested to represent the
chamber OF commerce at the National
Road convention, and that he DO sup
piled with proper credentials.
Director Graf announced that Vice.
President Lankersh him was expecting to
20 on an extended tour, where he woul Id
visit a number of different organizations
similar TO the chamber, and he moved
that he be given special letters OF Gre
dentials stating the position which he
had occupied in the Los Angeles cham
Der. r....
Director Severance, chairman Of the
committee on lands, to whom had been
referred the matter Of the amendment
OF the forestry law by the present con-
gress, reported favoring the adoption oil
the following resolutions:
Whereas, Several bills and amend
ments to bills to protect forest reserva-
lions are now before congress; and
Whereas, These bills and amend ments
propose to eliminate from the reserva-
tions all lands which their supporters
claim to be more valuable for agriculture
than for forest purposes; therefore be it
Resolved, That this, the chamber of
commerce Of Los Angeles, CAL, strenu.
ously opposes any reduction whatever OF
the forest reservations in the United
States, and especially those in Callfor
MIA. for the following reasons:
The forest reservations and public
parks, so wisely set aside by congress
for the use of this and future genera
tions, are not too large, bat should be
extended to other parts Of the state,
and any infringement on them would be
greatly detrimental to the agricultural
intsrests. which depend upon them as
water sheds for irrigation purposes. The
most valuable agricultural lands of
this state are those which are irrigated,
the supply of water depending greatly
upon the preservation Of the forests to
protect the snow in the mountains. In
Southern California In particular this
alteration in the forest reservations
would work incalculsble injury. The
mstchlsss valleys in Los Angeles, San
Bernardino and Riverside counties
which have become world famous as a
result of wisely directed irrigation
methods, would suffer immensely il
their water supply. none too abundant
nov, were to be reduced, as it would be
~inll / ii,
allowed upon the forest reservations bv
sheep men, lumber m3n or farmers.
There are millions OF acres of agricul-
tural lands ON the plains and in the foot
hills of this state not included in the
forest reservations or public parks.
which lands are not yet cultivated, and
it will take many generations, even with
q greatly increased population, before
the lands are settled upon and cult
valed. The plains and rolling lands out
side of the public parks aud reserva-
tions, are much more valuable for sgri-
culture than any land in said reserves.
and, moreover, many OF them
could not be properly irrigated ex-
cspt with the waters which the forest
reservations are intended to preserve.
Until some day, therefore. in the far
away future, when possibly our agri-
cultural lsnds shall become overcrowded,
no Infringement upon the forest reserva-
tions should be permitted. and any fort
to diminish them will result injuriously
to this state and the nation at large, for
the reasons above stated. The rights OF
all actual settlers. by legal entry and
valid fling. I'd well a. all duly locatad
mining elaine, are amply protected by
the provisions of the law creating these
forest reservations. That other unoccu-
pied patches of arabic lands and mead
ows may exist in the forest reservations
and public parks, are absolutely neces-
sary for the purpose OF furnishing food
and pasture for the teams and horses of
the travelling public visiting tho se noun
tain reservations.
Resolved further, That not only
should these forest reservations be kept
intact, but the general government
should without delay provide proper
police regulations, to the end that the
forest and underbrush, both potent
factors in retaining water supplies, may
be protected from destruction and the
intent OF the original legislation may be
carried out.
Resolved further. That the cham Der
of commerce print and supply all our
California mem bsrs OF congress, as we'll
as any others who have taken an inter-
est in this matter, with copies OF these
resolutions.
(Signed,) M. 8. SEVERANCE,
Chairman.
The revolutions were, on motion,
adopted.
Director Jones, to VII ON Was referred
the matter Of the CO mmunicstion of
Felix Fremersy with regard to rame
culture. reported, advising that the
chamber allow the use of its assembly
room for Mr.. Fremerey to speak, and
that an exhibit Of ramie be placed in
the hall, and that printed matter on the
subject DO distributed through the
chamber.
A communication from the chamber
Of commerce of San Francisco with re-
gard to the Nicaragua canal was read,
and the secretary was instructed to wire
Representatives Mcguire and Cannon
urging them to do their best to insure
prompt action on the Nicaragas canal
bill by the house of Representatives.
8. M. Woodbridge presented copy Of
the proposed act to regulate the manu-
iacture and sale Of commercial fertiliz-
srs which will be presented to the state
Legislature. It was moved and carried
that she set be endorsed by the cham
her.
The following were appointed as q
committee 20 meet the members OF the
legislature who will visit the city today:
Directors Mullsn. Jones, Patterson, Par.
sons Rino