The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-07

Or hope OF securing modification OF
clsveland's forest reserve order lies IN the
presentation Of facts to the president and
before congress. There is no desire 10
contrDvert the postuIate upoa which the
mistaken order was made. Everybody
agrees with ex-SecKetary Francis that our
forests should De preserved frem wanton
destruction II will be necessary TO prove
70 the president that the proposed reserve
covers a large area upon which no tim
Der exists; and that 1t takes IN and bars
from development rich mineral belt nov
In course Of utilization. upon which mills
are erected. towns laid out and q rail-
read running.
The reasons for protecting our forests
can Dc respected without locking up the
minerals which can b OF no use In Tire
mountains. but whose value In promoting
our prosperity b. being taken out is so
great Secretary Francis evidently saw
this and recommended legislation permit
ting mining and prospecting on ali forest
reservations. This is all that has been
asked; and Senator Wilson very aptiy
stated the whole question when he re-
marked that a tudicious pruning OF the
presidential proclamation would probably
avert radical legislation, which would
render nugatory q very important work.
The state Of Washington will be entirely
satisfied with the proposed legislation,
which will authorize the secretary OF the
interior to prescribe suGn rules and regu-
lstIoBs for the government Of the fores.
reserves as viii permit the disposal OF
timber In the reservations for legitimate
mining purposes. This will. OF course.
presuppose the fullest recognition OF the
acquired rights of agricultural and min
ing settlers.
The very commendable spirit Of the for
Presidents proclamation, commands due
respect. We can understand how Eastern
people regard US as va ldals because we
hew down giant trees. Only recently an
Eastern newspaper went into tears over
the fall of one OF those kings of the for
est. 1t described a tree cut in the Cas-
cades which was so wide and so tall that
when IL passed through the nerciless mill
IL yielded enough lumber to build seven
two-story houses. The newspaper de-
plored the recklessness OF the people who
would destroy the gigantic beauty when
there was such an ample supply of small
trees. The vastness OF our forests and
the size OF our trees are beyond the COM
prehension OF those rot familiar with
them. II seems like vandalism to DESTROY
the great trees: but so Il seems a pity to
destroy scenes OF beauty with works OF
utility. to hew down beautiful oaks and
naples 10 make room for ugly brick build
ings; to mar the symmetry OF q pictur-
esque stream or glen In order to make
way for an iron railroad bridge.
We who live among the grand promises
of prosperity afforded by this state. who
have left the stripped forests for the
realms OF pl-nty; who have left to freer
opportunities those who choose 10 stay
In the crowded avenues OF the older set
tied districts and have turned our atten-
ton 10 the dormant possibilities OF the
West. find the reasoning OF the sentiment
talists and the theorists wanting in logic
We can understand why the headwaters
OF streams should be protected where
trees are needed TO attract humidity: we
are familiar With the advantages OF
arboriculture on the plains. but we know
that no such aids to precipitation are
needed on these high mountains where
snow lies all the year and the summers
sun cannot entirely melt Il away. We
understand that IL would be unwise to
cut down timber IL Its removal would
preeipita;e foods from the melting snow,
but when we know that the dense under
growth following the removal OF trees
checks even better the rapid melting. we
feel justified in demonstrating.
We may pass the question over now.
but we VIII be apt TO ask later why We
should forego the use and profit OF the
timber. Why should II be LEFT II we can
turn II 10 advantage7 II should not be
destroyed OF course bat utilization In
another form Is not destruction. II Il is
posterity's interests that are 10 be pro-
tected. the better way would seem to be
u HtaSE hAFhAekIaA AeA ANIthANliEs CT
" hat would answer the same purpose and
be more practicable. 20 reserve those
parts upon which trees have been cut
down So as TO give time for the fun growth
~ another forest. II takes a long time
fer giant TO grow. but twenty years or
thirty years viii produce good. average
sized tree.
The state has had narrow escape.
prompt action. followed mp by vigorous
and persistent hammerinx at the sub
tect. The chief point has been gained,
but It viii require constant vigilance In
order TO insure passage OF the promised
legislation.