The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-31

The telegram above was shown 10
several business men last night who
say II Is In line with similar lnforma-
tion from coast points IN Northern
Washington The forest fires In that
section during the past wees have
been numerous ana much loss has re-
suited Valuable property of all kinds
has been destroyed. and many farmers
have been made homeless In discus.
sing the matter on general principles.
Il IN the general sentiment that In this
coast territory where there are such
long dry spells during the summer.
the most vigorous methods should ha
employed 10 prevent such wholesale
loss Of oregon and Washlngton's
greatest natural wealth The time viii
come In the not distant future when
the timber now being laid waste viii
be needed. and It's loss will be felt
Recently large fires have been burn
Ing In the Nehalem and many valuable
claims have been destroyed. For thu
most part. these losses are directly
,racenble 10 the carelcssness OF rancn-
crs and hunters. Oregon's forests are
her great source OF wealth. and ma
ture has provided these products
which. without the aid Of man further
than the necessary labor 10 prepare
II for market. are equal 10 hundreds Of
years Of wheat growing II Is natures
gift and needs only care TO pre-
vent It's destruction, Why not keep
what nature has provided until II can
bc used In legitimate business? Tn
citizens OF this coast cannot afford 10
burn IL Tor the sake of clearing a few
acres. This method Is an outrage pure
and simple, and the whole question Ia
one In which not only the entire state
Of oregon. but Washington, California
and Idaho are equally interested. There
should be forest commissions with
powers at least as great as the road
commissioners. who should be paid
competent salaries which would enable
them 10 give their entire time to pre-
vent the unnecessary destruction OF
trees
The farmer says that he cannot af-
ford to take the time for clearing a
few acres Tor potatoes otherwise than
by slashing and burning This surely
is fallacy, and II he lived In Russia,
or Germany swift justice would soon
take care OF his case. with the de-
Vclopment OF better county roRds GER
tainly other uses can be found for
timber than burning 1t to the jeopardy
OF thousands OF acres belonging to
others than the one who is clearing a
single acre.
Bringing the matter closer home to
Astorians. for several days past hres
have been burning In the timber on
the ridges, which should be stopped
These little belts OF timber in the city
limits are Astorias pride and form
her natural parks, Clean them all
out and the hills would look very
much as II they had been shaved for
hot weather, and the trouble is the
timber will not grow again in many
decades, Aside from its great CONF
mcrcial interests, Astoria is distinct I.
lively summer town, Deprive It ot (
It's beauty and half its charms are lost |.
In few years hence, when its popula- /
ton has quadrupled, the matter Of
parks aud pleasure resorts will be an /
important one, Nature has paved the .
way Tor heautfying a great CONNER ,
'ial center and her gifts should not I
be lavishly thrown away Thousands /
Of cords Of stovewood line the pipeline .
and hundreds OF cords are cut aud /
piled Tor hauling This is all endan-
yered by the careless starting of fires,
There should certainly be authority .
sufficient in the city to prevent such
Nanton waste