The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-06
FOREST RESERVES.

Quite new aspect is placed upon the
| intention OF the government. or perhaps
IL would be more just 10 say the forest
| reserve commission. by the intelligent pre-
sentation of 1t made by MIR. Clifford Pin
ehot. There Is no doubt that the commits
sion never contemplated such a sweeping
withdrawal of public lands from settle
ment as seemed TO be intended by the
proclamation OF President Cleveland; and
that the effect of the work of the commits
sion viii be most beneficial TO this state.
II was wise for our people. however. to
make the prompt and vigorous remon-
STRANGE which went up in a roar of pro-
test at an order whose first effect must
be TO take out from utilization great tracts
of territory, whose chief value was for
mining and agricultural and not for tim
Der growth. If it had not been for the
stimulus given to official investigation by
that emphatic appeal TO congress il might
have been several years before the plans
OF the commission were put into opera
ton. Had the order been submitted to
| quietly the whole matter would have been
tied discretionary powers. and If objection
was raised later. the governing body
might we'll be asked, why. If the order
| were so mischievous, protest had not
been made in time to enable congress to
make those notifications which were so
| willingly accorded, when the conditions
were Immediately and clearly laid before
the representatives.
The eastern newspapers did not have
| the advantage OF knowing either the con-
| ditions here or understanding the purpose
OF the commission. They jumped to the
| conclusion that every man who objected
| 70 a railroad. thousands OF mining claims
| and fully as many agricultural settlements
| being Withdrawn from use, must neces-
| sarily be timber thieves. Even news
| papers which should have been better in
formed. used the most violent language in
denouncing the purpose of those who were
seeking 20 preserve from conhscation the
fruits Of their labor. It was not until
| the commission itself came 10 the defense
| OF the people OF Washington and ex-
| planned that the order was only prellmin-
| airy 20 more detailed and systematic adj
mlnistration of forest reserves. without
seeking to modest those whose interests
lay In farms and mines. that the eastern
newspapers moderated their tone.
II should hardly need repetition Of the
assurance that the people of this state
| welcome any measure which is to protect
| the forests from wanton destruction.
| They fully appreciate the advantage OF
repianung the area from which merch-
antabie timber Is taken and Of keeping
| intact the forests at head waters which
| form such benefIcent storage for precIpI-
tatlon. No objection viii be raised TO any
regulation which has these objects In view
| without shutting up from development the
fine agrarian lands and the rich mineral
deposits @ the state
Nothing has done more to bring about 4
| reconciliation Of the views OF The forest
commission and the interests 81 settlers
| than the intelligent presentation Of the
subject by Mr. Pincbot He has found
/ no lack q symPathetic aid in his work IN
I tais state. on the other hand be has by
/ conscientious Investigation segregated thu
areas 50 that the purpose OF the commits
sion and the act based upon their report
( snail Re made most effective he VII
I be able 90 carry back with him 90 ofic5al
sources the assurance that no an.agonism
/ CT the par: OF tire people % this state vii
/ arise 20 tawarr or even 20 make more
/ alncuit tie ohjec, Of the government