The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-12

SEATTLE. FRIDAY, MARCa IL
NOW THE OBSERVATIONS WE'RE
MADE.


IN the senate debate over the forest
reservation order OF President Cleveland
II developed that 10; single representa-
tive or senator from any OF the states In
which the reservations were made had
seen consulted In connection with the
matter. and not one OF them was even
aware that such an action vas la con-
temptation. The whole matter was con-
Quoted surrcptitlousiy. which Is all ths
more singular because the supposed object
OF all Lac forest reservations is 10 benefit
the people OF the states In which they are
created.
More than this the interior department,
IN preparing the order OF Withdrawals for
the presidents approval. ignored the rules
which had been expressly made by a for
ner secretary for the establishment Of
such reservations.
senator Garter called atteutiou 20 the
fact that IL has always been the custom
of the interior department. when a new
law affecting public lands vas passed. TO
Immediately promulgate rules for IT'S In
teiiixent administration. When the act
OF 1891 providing for the creation OF forest
reservations. became n law. the interior
department. In accordance with this Gus
tom. prepared such regulations. which
ware issued In circular OF instructions to
all land Offices and special agents OF the
general land Office.
These regulations provided that special
agents should be- detailed to secure the
necessary data. and those 30 detailed were
directed Ito proceed without undue delay
to make In the districts assigned 20 them
thorough and careful personal exam
ination OF the public lands bearing forests.
or covered with timber and underground.
and ascertain by personal observation and
by interviews with the governor and state
officials in tho vicinity OF such lands. and
with citizens who have an interest in the
public welfare. ali facts pertaining 10 the
value OF said forests and timber land for
all uses. purposes and requirements. The
result Of such Investigations should be
duly made the subject OF report 10 this
once"
These special agents we're requested to
make their recommendations as TO whether
Tho tracts 30 Inspected should be set apart
as reservations or not. and were further
requested to submit IN writing the ex-
preston of opinion or the state officials
and citizens interviewed upon the subject.
ether regulations we're as follows.
In recommending reservations OF tim
her lands, special agents should describe
such lands by natural drainage basins:
and Whenever II Is IN the is.serests OF the
industries carried On in the district to
except any laads within said basins from
re~eFVaiian BY permitting the timber 20
be cut 10 meet the wants or the people.
such excepted tracts should be described
IN land office terms o. sections. towr-
ship~. ranges. etc, but when surveys have
not been extended over the lands thus
excepted. the lands should hs described by
natural boundaries ia such manner that
they may Be readily distinguished from
other lands. and that proper provision for
their survey by land office methods may
% made.
After making an examination OF the
tifaher lands OF any drainage basin and
having decided 20 recommend the same
Tor reservation under the provisions OF
;his circular. before submitting report In
ths matter = notice should be prepsrea
BY the agent stating that such recon-
mendatien will re made 90 the general
land office. snd setting forth a aescrif-
ton OF the basin. together wita iescrfp-
ton o. any public lands embraced there
IN which II NAV be proposed 70 have ex.
eepted therefrom. II should also ~ stated
therein thai the object 90 such publication
IA 60 give timely notice OF the proposed
reservation IN order that al parties later
estet. who either favor or oppose "a
establishment. may be afforded due or
portunity q submit their view. 20 this
ofrce. by petif'on o. otherwise. for fhs
purpose 81 having the same considered
prior 20 me anal establishment az such
reservation.
This notice should be posted IN ire
land nffce or Offices ~ the district wh-ve-
In such lands ssc situated ane a eopy Of
tho same should BE published a. least once
week fer taree successive weeks IN some
newspaper published IN the county. or
each 81 the other counties. wherein such
lands are situated. and also in st leas,
cae other Newspaper ~ EeusfsI circulation
IN The state or TERRITORY II 10 newspaper
ee published in the county o. counties n
which TIRE lands are situated. then tire
publication should - made In news.
papoF published In Ire county neares; &c
such lsais."
That circular has never bee, recalled or
Annulics. nor have any new regulations
seen devised 90 take tie place OF thoss
therein set cut, TaeSs regulations wers
emlnontiy wise and Preper, They con
teuspistea ire acquisition ~ fun kroul
edge ~ tie Euhiecs; locked 70 TIE CO
operation q the state authorities. ar
TIE elsisens % each state. sor whose so1s
eene1t tie proposed reservations we're 70
Be nsse. saa provided Tor TIE utnaes,
publicity IN the matter. - thMt all IN
tsrestea mlEht have rtxas - - heard
Net ous siagls step provided Tor ~ tsess
regulations was. however. tskea IN tAs
matter % taese last rascrs attoa. VIA
cut an intImatsoa g ssnx1s cesce- az TIE
state % Washington. wttheat ecnsu!tasloa
vita any citizens g TIRE s,&se. WttAsut
notification 20 Washington senator es
representative. set enlv without gussleisy
bat Ni,a the prosounSess secrecy observed
the nnsl executive orSieT es;aA,lsAsag ths
reservations vss arenalgsteA
Not only ta.s. sat Ne suea exnrnsaatsor
Of TIE proposed reservations IS vas COS.
Semgiasea vas Asa. so distinctive tracSs
we're reserved. e@g general 1saaKsg rS4s-.