The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-06

WASHINGTON. April 5.-The govern
ment forestry commission had hearing
before Secretary of the Interior Bliss to-
day. at which they went over the whole
forestry question and explained the rea-
sons for advocating ali the reservations
OF timber lands made by President Cleye-
lands proclamation February -
The full personnel OF the commission
WAS present. as follows Prof. &. ;. Sar-
gent, OF Harvard university. chairman.
Gen. IL. l.. Abbott. United States engineer
corps; Prof. w. III. Brewer. of Yale uni
versity: Alexander Agassiz. Clifford PIN
chott and Arnold Hague. Commissioner
Hermann. OF the general land office. and
Director Walcott, Of the geological sur
vsy. also were present. Senator Wilson.
OF Washington. and Senator Shoup. OF
Idaho. represented the Western opposition
10 the reservations
The meeting was behind closed doors.
Chairman Sargent reviewed the investi-
cation of the commission last summer.
He was emphatic in declaring that there
was no need OF modification Of the proc
iamation. The commission was divided.
however. as TO the advisabihty of making
any changes. and several of the members
conceded that some changes or exceptions
might and should be made.
A petition signed by citizens OF New
Mexico was submitted by Delegate Fer
gusson. asking that the forest reservation
scheme be extended to that state. while
Senator Wilson. on the other hand. pro-
tested vehemently against the wholesale
reservations committed" in Washington.
The outcome OF the conference was a
decision 20 forward 20 congress In day
or two a proposed amendment TO the sun
dry civil bill 10 be framed on the lines
of the McRae bill. which has been before
both houses of congress in various forms
and is now pending In the senate. This
amendment Will authorize the secretary
TO prescribe such rules and regulations for
the government OF the forest reserves as
will permit the disposal OF timber In tho
reservations for legitimate mining pur-
poses. and will preserve also the rights
OF agricultural and mining settlers on res
ervations. The amendment gives author
ity for the suspension OF the operation OF
the presidential proclamation reserving
forest reservations and the survey OF the
reserved tracts by the geological survey.
appropriating $4,000 therefor.
Senator Wilson. in attacking the reser-
vations today. said there was no timber
ter. that the two main streams In his
state had their sources in British Column
bia. and that the faliacy of the reserva-
tion for water supply purposes therefore
was apparent. The underground follow
ing timber cutting. he said protected the
melting SHOWS more thah the grown trees
did. and he said unless something was
done Immediately congress would have 10
act of its own accord BY Judicious pruu-
ing of the presidential proclamation. he
said. radical legislation revoking the
whole proclamation could bee ayerted.
Correspondence Goes 10 the senate.
In compliance with a resolution OF in
quiry Secretary Bliss sent 10 the senate
copies OF the correspondence on ftie IN his
Office bearing upon the executive order OF
February =. establishing forest reserva-
tons.
The most Important document OF tho
series II a letter from Secretary Francis
TO President Cleveland. dated February 8.
recommending the creation Of these reser-
vations From this letter it appears that
the reservations were selected and the
boundaries established upon the recon-
mendfAtion OF the National Academy OF Sci
ences. which has Investigated the question
through a subcommittee composed large
ly OF college professors at the instance OF
Secretary Smith. Secretary Francis let
ter shows that he warmly approved the 80
Tections made. covering so acres. and
that he suggested the issuance OF the proc
lamasion on Washington's birthday. lie
said that the area OF the reservations then
proposed would exceed that Of all already
established by about sen.e9 acres. but
that "as our pubic forests are being rap
idly denuded, and the loss resulting there
from IL incaicuiable," no did not think this
apparently large area should initiate In
any degree against the recommendation of
the COMMITTEES.
There Is also letter from Secretary
Francis 20 Senator Allison. recommending
legislation permitting mining and prospect
ing on aii forest reservations.