Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
PRESERVING FOREST DOMAIN
National Academy Of Science Preparing for
Important Researches,
DONE AT THE GOVERNMENTS INSTANCE
correspondence on the subject Be-
tween Prof. Gibbs and Secretary
smith-Systcmatic scheme
to lie Evolved.

WASHINGTON. March CA scheme Of
vast Importance to all persons interested in
the preservation OF the forest lands Of the
| United States Is outlined in a report OF
the National Academy OF Science to the Sec
rotary Of the Interior. who had asked the
academy to recommend feasible and COM
prehensive forestry policy
The academy has appointed a commission
OF notable scientists to make an investiga-
ton OF the forestry problem In all its phases
and Secretary Hoke Smith Will take steps
Immediately to afford all possible assistance
TO the commission and will recommend TO
congress the appropriation OF $500 to cover
actual expenses
The forestry problem has been subject
OF deep consideration by many officials OF
the government, and especial interest in the
problem has been taken by Secretary Smith.
The personnel OF the commission selected
by the academy to make the investigation
and report is OF unusual excellence. its MEM
bers comprising Prof. Charles =. Sargent,
chairman; Mr.. Alexander Agassiz, General
Henry l.. Abbott. Pref. william II. Brewer,
MIR. Arnold Hagus and Mr.. clifford Plnchot.
In a letter to Prof. Wolcott Gibbs president
OF the National Academy Of Sciences, Sec
rotary Smith asked for an official expression
from the academy on the following points:
/. Is It desirable and practicable to pre-
serve from fire and to maintain perma.
the public domain for the supply OF tlmber1
@ How far does, the influence OF forests
make desirable a policy. of conservation in
regions where the public domain is prin-
B. What specific legislation should be
enacted TO remedy the evils now confessedly
existing?
The secretary recalls that his predecessors
in office for the last twenty years had vanly
called attention to the lnadcquacy and con-
fusion OF existing laws relating to the public
timber lands and consequent absence OF an
intelligent policy In their administration. re-
sultng in ouch conditions as might IL not
speedily stopped. prevent proper develop
ment Of large portion Of our country. He
concluded az follows: "As | believe that a
speedy change in the existing policy is urg-
ent. / request that you will give an early
consideration to this matter and favor me
with such statements and recommendations
as may be laid before congress for action
during this session."
In Prof. Gibbs reply to the secretary's let
ter he said that no subject upon which tho
academy had been asked before by the gov
ernment for advice compared with that OF
the forest policy in scope, and 1t was the
opinion OF thoughtful men that no other
economic problem confronting the United
States equaled in importance that offered
by the present condition and future fate OF
the forests Of western North America. The
forests of the public domain extended
through eighteen degrees OF longitude and
twenty degrees OF latitude varying in density.
composition and sylicultural condition and
the character Of the topography and the cli-
mate Of the most Of the region now en-
braced in the public domain increased the
difficulty of the problem. 1t recommends
plan for the general treatment or the forest
covered portion Of the public domain The
academy, that its report might be valuable
as a basis for future legislation, Prof. Gibbs
said must consider:
l. The question of the ultimate owner.
ship of the forests now belonging to the
forests in the public domain shall be al
to pass either sohro II part na p Pfva:
hands?
2. How shall the government forests be
administered 80 that the inhabitant of ad-
tacent regions may draw their necessary
forest supplies from them without affecting
their peimanency?
sary to secure for the government n con-
tinuous. intelligent and honest management
of the forests Of the public domain. in
Guiding those In the reservations already
made and which may be made in the future.
arrangements Of forests. permanency in con-
tro,. that is the possibility of carrying out
the details Of plans, to extend them perhaps
through centuries. is essential, and not the
least important part of the problem is
confederation Of the organization needed
administer the government intereSts in tse
forests which already cover in established
reservations, several millions Of acres. The
these problems the ability, the patriotism
and the dsinterestedness OF its members
best fitted by special training to dea. with
them. The scope Of the investigation. how
ever. is so broad, involving, as IT does, the
future of considerable part of the United
States and millions Of inhabitants, that you
will, am sure realize that 1t Is impossible
TO prevent final report before the adjourn
ment Of the present congress The commit
tee will, the professor said, require the coun-
sci of n lawyer familiar with the decisions
of the general land office and re requests
the secretary to designate one of the law
offices of the department to aid II and that
room and clerical assistance, when needed.
may be provided