New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
THE NATIONS FORESTS.

Senate amendment to the Sundry Civil bill
suspends indefinitely the orders creating FOR
est reservations which were proclaimed by
President Cleveland on February %. 1881. The
adoption Of this amendment would he unfortu-
nate for reasons which are set forth in
memorial to Congress by the Executive Com
mittee Of the National Forestry Association.
The present Congress Mt its extra session sus-
pended the final establishment Of these reserva-
tons in order that possible mistakes in fixing
their boundaries might be corrected by survey
and examination. \ large amount of nforma-
ton essential TO such n reimbursement has since
been collected. the work is likely to be finished
within reasonable time, and 1t appears sensi-
bic. therefore. to continue Tue suspension for
definite period, say. for one year. rather than
virtually TO abolish ne reservations. Such. II
IS believed. would lie the practical effect OF
adopting the Senate amendment for though
under the act Of March 3. 1891 the President
is empowered To set apart public lands bearing
forests ms forest reservations and might. there
fore. re-establish. In whole or in part, the reser
vations created by his predecessor, it Is not
probable that he would do so in opposition 10
the will Of Congress- or would be justified ny
public opinion in so doing.
II is not denied lnil fT'Slueul 'ltN'IhHh
proclamation establishing thirteen new reserva-
tlons containing more than 100000 acres
provoked strong complaints: but II has appeared
TO US that they chiefly proceeded either from
the greed OF corporations which have long de-
rived n great advantage from the nppropria-
ton. use and sale Of timber belonging 10 the
people. or from the ignorance Of individual set
tiers who supposed that their rights and inter
ests were going 10 be grossly invaded Such a
misunderstanding was not unnatural for much
more attention was paid 10 the general scheme or
forest preservation recommended NY the special
committee Of the National Academy Of Sciences
and adopted by President Cleveland than TO
the provisions for preventing abuses 10y which
the committees report accompanied. 1t
was for example. as far as possible from the
intention Of the committee to prevent the uril-
izatlon Of large part OF the public domain, rs
witness this paragraph from its report:
study Of the forest reserves IN their rea
tious 10 the general development and welfare
Of tho country shows that the segregatona OF
these great bodies of reserved lands cannot be
Withdrawn from all occupation and us". and
that they must be mad" to perform their part
in the economy ~ the Nation According to
strict Interpretation OF the rulings OF the Depart
mcnt Of the Interior. no on" has right 10 enter
n forest reserve. 10 cut n single tree nom It's
forests. examine ifS roc ks in search or
valuable minerals. Forty million acres OF land
ar thus theoretically shut out from all human
occupation or enjoyment. such a condition ~
things should not continue. for unless m" re-
served lands OF the public domain are made 10
contr butte 10 the welfare and prosperity ~ the
country. they should hc thrown open ID settle
ment and the whole system OF reserved forests
abandoned. Land NOR" valuable" Tor us MN
era deposits for the production OF agri-
cultural crops than for IT'S timber should 10
taken from the reservations and sold 10 miners
a1..r c1.fl 10 chi
and sold. settlers within or adjacent 20 the
boundaries unable 10 procure n I'm other ways.
Should be authorized to take such material from
reserved forests as ~ necessary for their needs.
and prospectors should be allowed 10 search
them for minerals.
Accepting this "a the true policy. tho com
mittee proposed various bills designed 10 pro-
tect the rights and legitimate interests ~ actual
and prospective settlers and mine Operators.
and at the same time 10 prevent tho widespread
destruction OF forests by fire and stop tha
wholesale appropriation by corporations Of tim
Der belonging 10 all the people. II IS not sur
prsing that corporate interests strongly antago-
nized tho plan, In view Of the estimate made
by special agents Of the Land dice few
years ago that a single company had al that
time cut timber OF the value OF from S2or0D0
to SO, 100000, and that a suit against that com
pany involving S6NS,oOO IL. or recently was
pending In a United States court. But there
seems 10 no no sufficient reason why stockhod
ers IN a corporation should continue TO PROFIT
by such encroachments AT the expense Of stock
holders IN the United States
II IS not now insisted that the reservations
created by President Cleveland We're in all re-
spccts wisely defined. but It does appear that
Congress ought not at this time to take action
,b.I. .l.n
in the reversal OF sound National policy.