The Flagstaff sun-democrat., 1897-08-26

ioV turiV VtLitutSttNtWut tVe HsSiStHHtc
 of the military must be called in until
 al organization can he developed for
 the protection. management and im-
 prnvement of all reserved Government
 furest lands; fnr without such assis,- anc1 the experiences of the past clearly shows that it is idle to hope that fires can be restricted. rasiurage abolished. and tImbrr.cutting and mining regu. lated tn the rrserves, and if this can. n"t b- done, their forests will sM,nrr or later be ruined. and tho ohj-cls dr- fra'rd for which they have been es. tablish.,i.
 The preservation and judicinus mar. agrlnent If the forests on those p,l. tions nf the public domain which are nnsuited for agriculture are of grra, importance fr ,h~ flow of rivers need ed for the irrigation of ard districts. and to furnisli forest pr,niuc,s for s-,- tiers an asljacent arable lands aud for mining operations. Tn. ch-apncss of forest pr"durts in the Upil.d States, and the length M time required io prnlucs crops of timber tn the West. will make the investment of ih- capi- tai of individuals in sylvicul,ural operations, for the presen, at least. doubtful enterprise in tliuse States and Territories where the public do- main IS now principally situated; and sylviculture in western North America will only he really successful under sustained government cnnlrol and administration.
 Annual taxes on tha land of indi- v,duals demand annual income. and to avoid or meet thls burden of taxation land which should always remain cov- cred with forests is often denudrt! be. for. the requirements of commerce jus,ify it. or is devo,ed to uses for which it Is ill adapted.
 The fee of lands which are most valuable for the produciIon of timber should remain vested in the general Government. and these lands, if ,b"y are managed wisely, can im made 10 supply forest material ind-finitely io | ie agricultural and mining pnpus- tions of adjacent districts and to im- prove in produciivensss and value.
 Ultimate selfsupp"rt "f Govern nent forest administration is possible in the United States, aud it may be expected to yield n permanent income if the national forests are managed with the intelligence. thrift and hon. esly which characterize the forest ad- in Germany. France and other European countries.
 Temporary Measures. To inaugu- rate at once complete system "f forest administration would he to more than Is wise nr feasible aL this time, but the necessity "f prompt action for the pr,t.cii"n of the forest reserves from hr-, illegal pasturage and other d-prsdaIi"ns Is urgent, and efficient temporary police measures are ne-ded immediately.
 This danger is no less real than The dian massacre was formerly, and the cilizeus of the West can only look ,o the army for immediate and temporary prniecii,li from 1t.
 Each important forest reserve should be pIac,,l aL once in charge of an "tti cer uf the army. detailed during the spas.n when forest fires are tn he and he should be supported by sufficient details of soldiers. ln or near each forest reservation United States commissioner should bs sta. tionsd io deal promptly with all cases rising from violations of forest laws or regulations. and peri 'rm tI,s duties of x police jusiics under District and the United States court. The authority to make arrests should bs conferred upon the forest guards.
 The following limits are suggrstsd for the four forest departments of . H,r.atrv orUs n izati,,n.