The state herald., 1897-06-11
FOREST RESERVES
cLEvELAND's ORDER REVOKED

AFTER Careful Survey Is Made the Por-
tions That Should he Set Aside VIII He
Reserved AgHin-survsys to He Made
at Once.
washington, June S.-The President
mas signed the sundry civil bill, which
contains the compromise amendment
concerning the forestry reservations.
This amendment suspends the procla-
nation of President Cleveland dated
February 22nd last, under which 21,-
oOU,OOO acres were set aside from the
public domain as forestry reservations
until the list Of next March. These
reservations are In the states of WyO-
ming, Utah, Montana. Washington,
Idaho and South Dakota. The lands
embraced within them are until that
date subject to sale and entry. under
the laws, like any other public lands In
the United States. In the meantime
the secretary of the interior Is directed
to make n survey of the territory In
question In order that the President
may restore permanently such part of
them as may be thought expedient
without taking from the public domain
any unnecessary agricultural and min
eral lands, or including any lands that
have already been taken up by actual
settlers under mining or lumber claims.
The sweeping order of February 22nd
included n great deal of land that Is
already under pre-emptiOn, as well as
several million acres that are more val
liable for agriculture than for timber.
II included farms, mines and mills.
Lat. Mt tn a
great many claims for indcmnification.
All these can be avoided when the sur
vcy is made and President Mckinley
will confirm the order of his predeces-
sor only so far as 1t Is necessary to
preserve the forests and protect the
water courses In the northwest.
1t Is not believed that a great deal
of damage can be done to the forests
during the next nine months, when the
reservations go into force again, but
the secretary Of the interior is author
lied to make such rules and regulations
as may he essential to protect and pre-
serve the timber now standing. AT the
same time he is authorized, under
proper regulations. to permit the Use
of the timber and stone found upon
such reservations by actual settlers,
miners and prospectors for tirewood,
fencing, building. mining and other
domestic purposes.
The secretary of the interior has al
ready instructed Professor Walcott. di-
rector of the geological survey. to send
parties into the field Immediately FOR
the purpose Of making the surveys, IN
order that MS much as possible may he
COMPLETED before the list of next March.
lao, Ia
cal survey instead of the forestry com
mission, and Professor Walcott viii
give the work his personal supervision.
He will begin In the Black HIS oi pa
kota. which is the nearest ana most
actively disputed portion OF the terri
tory included in the late forest reserfa-
tons. The surveyors VIII make t"p"-
graphical map of the country, showing
the area that is covered with ulnber'
the character Of the timber ana Inc
character Of the soil. This map VIII he
accompanied by a detailed report.
which will he submitted 10 the Prcsl-
dent In installmcnis, and he VIII he
governed by its recommendations IN re
newlng or modifying the order OF
President Cleveland. After the Black
Hills have been surveyed II Is the IN
tention TO work westward. but there
will I've several parties In the field he
fore the end Of the month.
The late report of the forestry com
mission contains an elaborate plan for
n permanent organization for the pro
lection and preservation OF the timber
reservations. II provides for the ap-
pointment of one director Of forests. an
assistant director and four inspectors.
who are TO have charge OF all matters
relating TO the forests on the public do
main. This domain. for purposes OF
convenience. Is divided into four depart
ments: First G.sGI 900 acres In Califor-
Mia and Nevada: second, l2,Gi1 $40
acres in Oregon and Washington: third.
G.1ll 100 acres In Arizona. New Mexico.
Colorado and Utah. and fourth. o,1lI,-
40 acres In Wyoming. South Dakota.
Montana. Idaho and Washington.
Each OF these divisions Is TO he under
the control Of an Inspector. who shall
have under him twenty six foresters.
and the protection Of the timber In his
district Is intrusicd 10 them. IL has
been suggested that graduates OF
West Point who have not entered the
army. and retired army officers might
he utilized for that purpose. hut this
feature Is not popular.
The entire cost Of carrying out the
recommendations Of the forestry com.
mission would he about s25hWo per
annum. Between now and the LIST OF
December Secretary Rliss proposes to
have this plan studied and criticised by
persons In whom he has confidence In
order that he may make a definite rc.
port 10 Congress when II meets In De
rcmhcr.