New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-27
ARGUMENTS FOR THE RESERVES.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE NAIioNAh
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Washington. May 26-The President has sent to
the Senate the detailed report on forestry made by
the committee of the National Academy OF Sci
ences at the request Of the Secretary OF the lnte
rior The report goes into the details OF European
experiments regarding the influence Of forests on
climate and stream flow. and says that the hgures
demonstrate a considerable progressive reduction IN
the mean annual, the food and the lowest water
levels on all the chief rivers draining central
Europe Millions of dollars have been expended
In recent years in Europe in checking the force OF
floods due TO denuded mountain slopes by the con-
struction Of stone dams and river beds ana plant
ing sod and trees. The committee predicts that
similar expenditures in this country must follow
the destruction of mountain forests If the narrow
valleys Of the West to continue habitabe.
Fire and pasturage are cited as chiefly threaten
ing the reserved forest lands of the public domain
damage from Illegal Underwriting berg COM
paratively insignificant The committee says that
the Government in permitting free pasturage on
the public domain to sheep-owners in the public
land States and Territories is clearly unjust to peo-
pie elsewhere who must own or hire pastures
Traces of depreciation visible in all the re-
serves visited. The segregaions OF these great
bodies of reserved lands cannot be Withdrawn from
all occupation and use. but should be managed for
the benefit OF the people of the whole country. not
for class or section. Under strict interpreta-
ton by the Interior Department forty million acres
of land thus theoretically shut OUT from all
human occupation or enjoyment-a condition Of at
fairs which should not continue. Land more vau
able for its mineral deposits agricultural crops
than for its timber should be taken from the
vations and sold TO miners and farmers. mature
timber should be cut and Sold settlers within or
adjacent to the boundaries unable TO procure II In
other ways should be authorized 10 take such
material from reserved forests as Is necessary for
their needs, and prospectors should be allowed 10
search the forests for minerals.
This general scheme of administration of forest
reserves is suggested: Forestry Bureau under n
director, who Is TO be president of an advisory
board consisting Of himself, an assistant director
and four forest inspectors. IL also provides that
the bureau should have a dsbursng officer clerks
and legal advisers, twenty-six head foresters,
twenty-six assistants TO constitute a permanent
| corps two hundred rangers and various assistant
| rangers. the salary roll calling for an annual APP
preparation of $3.50 0O0 with preferences in appoint
| nent given to graduates of West Point. To pro-
| vide for the survey OF all lands reserved or to be
| reserved a board of forest lands is recommended.
Holders corporate or individual of lands In the re-
serves are to exchange them for equitable holdings
| outside. ,
! As to the unreserved forest lands the. report
| urges wthdra wing from sale and entry lands more
| valuable for timber and for other purposes, and
suggests that after survey those tracts less vaiu
| able for forests be opened TO sale and entry and
| the remainder held permanently for the Govern
|