The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-10
BAILEY WILLIS AND RESERVES.
Statement of Plans and Purposes ot
the Forestry Commission.

washington, April 5, 1897.
To the Editor: Having followed with
deep interest the effort TO preserve nom de-
struction the splendid forest resources OF the
Northwest, and having noted with regfeI
the failure OF the national forestry commits
sion to fully advise the people Of their pur-
poses and the consequent adverse opinion
aroused in the West through misander-
standing, I feel that II may not be map
propriate for me briefly to state certain
facts within my knowledge. The agita-
ton against the reserves, so far as IL IS NOT
based upon considerations or immediate
private loss or gain, is due 10 misunder-
standing. II appears from statements IN
the Western papers. as wen as from the
remarks OF senators and representatives or
Washington. that the people apprehend that
the establishment OF forest reserve Is
intended to stop all mining operations with
In It's boundaries. This Is neither the ex-
listing fact nor the intention OF the COM
mission. Under the laws at present In
force al prior valid rights are protected:
but these laws were drawn to meet spe-
cial conditions in states which are specified
differently IN the several acts, and they
are under existing circumstances neither
clear nor satisfactory. Fully aware OF this
fact. the national forestry commission IL
even now engaged In the preparation OF
recommendations for laws and REGULATE
icy, which shall Cd secure the segregation OF
the lands into agricultural. mining and for
est lands: 90 shah promote the use OF tim
Der for all legitimate purposes. including
mining. In such manner as will be consist
ent with the development OF tho resources
or the states while promoting the reproduc-
tive qualities of the forests, and go shall
bring about the organization OF forestry
corps. trained for and charged with the
proper mana cement Of the forests. I quote
from the report of the commission, copy
Of which is herewith enclosed paragraph
giving this statement in their own words:
The commission fully recognized the
fact that the forest reserves established
and proposed cannot be maintained unless
plan can be adopted under which their
boundaries can be modified so as to take
from them all lands better suited for ag-
ests and under which their timber can
be made available for domestic and com
can be freely sought for and mined with
In their boundaries. The commission Is
now engaged IN perrecttng a scheme OF
make the administration Of the reserves
possible and which In due time will be
submitted to you. II believes that the
solution OF this difficult problem will.
however. be made easier II reserved areas
are now Increased. as the greater the
number Of people interested in drawing
supplies from the reserved territory or
In mining IN them the greater viii be
thu pressure on congress to enact laws
permitting their proper admtnistra ton.
For this reason II Is the unanimous opin-
! ion of the commission that the establish
uent. by proclamation, OF the reserves
described above Is now n matter OF the
utmost importance TO the development
and welfare OF the whole country"
IL rs hoped that the commission viii
| have concluded this most difficult por-
| ton of its lsbors by the 1st Of July and
the further action upon Tire subject VIII
| then rest with congress. AS one who Is
| convinced by personal observation OF the
| magnitude OF your mineral interests. and
/ who knows from personal examination
| the magniticerce ard wealth OF your for
| ests. I earnestly hope that the people
| and their representatives viii exercise
! patience and promote the welfare OF their
! states by upholding the policy OF the for
| est reserves. Very respectfully.
BAILEY WILLIS