The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-17
Washington Office of The Herald,
lab G. Street. N. w.

/ port Which is an extensive and com
| prehensive document.
Speaking of the forest reserves, Di-
rector Walcott says: For a long time
| it was apparent to those who had given
| consideration to the subject that the
destruction of the forests of this coun-
try, particularly in the Rocky noun
tain region and on the Pacific coast,
was proceeding at a rate far more rap
id than their restocking by growth.
| This destruction was wrought chiefly
| by fire, from which no benefit what
| ever accrues to the community, rather
than by cutting, which, however waste
full it may be, is a necessity and results
in good to the community. Movements
in favor of the protection of the forests
| from fire and for the regulation of the
cutting of timber therein were not sue
cessful, owing to the lack of a suffi-
| GENTLY strong local sentiment. Several
| years ago those interested in the pro-
lection of the forests determined to en-
deavor to have parts of the public do
| main segregated, reserved from settle
ment and placed under the protection
and regulation of the general govern
ment."
Under the act of 1891, II forest reser-
vations were established. aggregating
II, 800, 600 acres, among them Yellow
stone park. Director Walcott says the
establishment of these reserves at
tracted little attention and created lit
tie or no opposition, ''Since no real pro-
lection was afforded to the areas re-
served, and the cutting of timber and
destruction by fires went on within
their limits, as elsewhere"
In 1897 february came the Cleve-
land order reServing 22,347, 500 acres.
THE establishment of these reserves
says the director, produced strong
protest from the residents of the states
interested" resulting in the provision
incorporated in the sundry civil laws of
June, 1897, suspending the executive or
der until March, 1892, and providing
fer examinations and survey of the re-
serves, at an expense of $150,0O0.
All the suspended reserves are now
subject to the laws governing reserves.
Arrangements were made in the sum-
mer of 1897 by the geological survey
for the topographic and subdiviSional
surveys Of those portions of the sus-
pended reserves in which there were
large interests that may be snjuriously
affected.
The purposes of the topographic sur
Veys are described to be:
l. The preparation of topographic
maps, on a scale of two miles TO the
inch, with contour intervals of 100 feet.
as base maps for the representation of
forestry details; agricultural and min
eral lands, and future geological sur
vevs.
2. The establishment of bench marks
indicating elevation above sea level. for
vertical control in topographic map
ping, and for all mining, engineering |
and geologic work.
g. The subdivision of reserves. where |
necessary, by running township lines
to designate tracts of land.
4. The demarcation of tracts that are !
more valuable as agricultural and min
eral lands than for timber.
5. The mapping of all wooded and !
forest areas.
perts have been at work studying the |
of forests, size and density |
of timber, effects of forest fires, dead
timber, pasturage, ETC., on the reserves.
They also consider the relation of the
timber supply to transportation, the
local demands of miners and settlers,
and the supply needed for distant mar
kets. The experts also examine public
ands adjacent to reserves.
The director general says: 1.-THE re-
serves can be completely surveyed in
six years, unless congressional appro-
oriations give out. There is already
nearly enough data for the intelligent
notification of the boundaries of most
If the reserves containing areas where
apparent injury or injustice is being
inflicted by the establishment of the
reserves"
Of the appropriation for geologic
work during the year. covered by the
'eport, the following allotments were
made for work in the Rocky mountain
states:
". H. Weed. Montana. "a 100
Lindgren, Idaho..... 400
R. c. Hills, Colorado. ............. 1000
w Cross Colorado
J. F. EmmonS, Utah.. 1000
Arnold Hague, Yellowstone park. 1900
For forestry reserve surveys z. NJ
Douglas was allotted $4,000; R. U.
soode, $69, 900, and Henry Gannett, SILL
co.
Arnold Hague's party did much val
liable work in Yellowstone park and
-icinity. He was accompanied by Dr.
:. A. Jaggar and DR.. F. P. King They
made areal surveys of the Absaroka
ange in the Yellowstone park reserve.
mis- range for many years offered an
ffectual barrier to all exploration of
he park from the east. 1t is regarded
s affording important chapters in the
Geologic history of the region. The
irector thinks the whole Yellowstone
ark reserve should be added to the
ark Mr.. Hague has prepared an ex-
ensive monograph on the park and the
cbsaroka range. He has also pre-
AIRED for the survey of a geologic
Model of this region. 1t shows the
reat contrast between the approx
1ately level plateau of the park and
he deeply trenched plateau which
orms the Absaroka range.
By special order of Secretary Bliss,
eorge H. Eldridge investigated the
Sphaltic minerals in the Uintah and
reservations, and made
n extensive report concerning the oc-
urrence, extent and value of minerals
hitch is not yet made public.
During the year Waldemar Lindgren
urveyed 1850 square miles in Ada and s
wyhee counties. Idaho. This shows 6
nat the old granite ranges of the
as and then submerged by a great r
'esh water lake. Fossils of many
inds have been collected from the old
Ike bed. The party also made
over west central Ida
0, exploring Snake river canyon to
even Devils. Since Neocene time the
make and Salmon have cut gorges
ON 1000 to 5000 feet deep through
lie lava barriers.
Examination of the Silver City min
g district shows that 1.-The deposits
re veins carrying gold and silver, and
e of comparatively recent age
uartz deposits were found carrying {
Did and silver and including imprints
vegetable organisms-a proof of
leir aqueous origin
H. L. Baldwin has proceeded with
e survey of the Uinta reserve, start
g from the Deseret and Mount Nebo
atoms of the geodetic survey, and
'oceedinS 20 miles northeastward He
~1te-'t .~-~-i'--- Ill.,
ty, Nephi, Provo. Tooele, Coalville.
char and Evanston