The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-13

sort and Step Toward the
Of FOrestry-P1ans for the Con-
gressiOnaI Excursion.
The Minnesota forestry reserve park
PROJECT was given new impetus last even
ing at the Commercial club by a number
OF prominent speakers and a general dis,
cuss1on of the subject which if carried
to successful issue means a great
deal to Minnesota. The speakers were
Col. John S. Cooper, of Chicago; Arch
bishop Ireland, Bishop Gilbert, Dr. Baird
d. Burnside Foster. F. l. Whitney and
DR.. c. A. Schenck, the German forestry
expert
President Condo Hamlin, of the Com,
mercial club, called the gathering 10
order and stated that If the men took
as much interest in the state park project
as the ladies did In the Thirteenth regi,
ment the room would have been ed
At his suggestion a permanent chairman
was selected, C. Christardo being nom
mated and elected.
Mr.. Christardo read letters of regret
from Senator Davis and Miss Evans, of
Mortified, president of the State Feder-
alton of Women's Clubs.
1t was announced that the congress
sional excursion to the source of the
father of waters would arrive in st.
Paul Sept. 20. The Great Northern had
offered to place at the disposal of the
party sleepers, diners, etc, and 1t was
expected that Col. Cooper's party would
include a very large representation Of
the congressional body. 1t was ex-
pected that the party would arrive at
Walker the following morning and a
trip be taken through the majestic pines
of the red mans land. giving the law
makers an opportunity to view the vir-
gin pine and inhale the balsamc elixir
of the forest.
DR.. c. A. Schenck dwelt upon the
economic side of forestry and urged it
as being as well worthy of consideration
as the sentimental side, which was.
however, in his opinion, not to bo lost
sight Of
Forestry" he said, must first be
made remunerative before it will be un-
dtItaken by the lumbermen Our for
ests, he said must be we'll protected
from fire. L am glad to note the excel
lent system that IS now in vogue in this
state, but more must be done staff
to lCok after this should be paid by the
government. Another drawback is taxes
Trees do not grow at the rate of 10 per
cent of their value yearly, or anywhere
near that figure. The average tax is
about per cent, and another per cent
will cover the growth of the timber, but
that does not furnish a sufficient return
TO make it very profitable Two per cent
net profit is not enough. The interests of
the individual and the commonwealth are
not Identical. as the former wants TO sell
his lumber and have it sawed up into
manufactured articles, while the COM
monwealth wants its forests preserved.
Forestry conserves the interests Of both"
Col. John S. Cooper said:
when We think that the for
ests of this state are Inc last
OF the grand forests of the most
beautiful valley in the world, it gives
me desire to preserve it in all its grand
eur. And all We ask of good Uncle Sam
is that he give us a little land, in the
interest of the best citizenship If 1 had
my way, / would give every school, as
reward of merit, trip to this beautiful
region OF rivers, of waters, of primevaI
forest. The tract on three sides Of Leech
lake, embracing 100000 acres. is a dream
OF beauty. Fully One-third IS covered
with water. 1t is our hope that We may
get a large delegation of congressman
and officials of your own state to visit the
reservation, and it will prove a convincing
argument.
Archbishop Ireland responded to a
popular call for a speech, and said that
the economic side of the question had
been treated quite fully, and he believed
the poetical. sentimental and religious
should have place in the discussion
From what he had heard he was. he said.
in favor of taking agricultural land IL
there was not enough forests to go
around. The archbishop thought that too
much of the economic principle took away
the poetical and religious. THE forests
were given US by the great Maker to
charm and fill our souls with poetry
When the master set aside the continents
of the world. the most beautiful of all
Was the North American continent with
its rivers, lakes, prairies and forests In
Utilizing our fields we must not be guilty
OF Sacrilege in taking away the beauty of
the rivers and lakes. l feel proud that
people come to admire our state from
other parts of the country Let us ask
OF our government that this beautiful
tract be set aside forever as d park
Many people will come to our state. Du-
luth IS making an effort to catch the
tourist travel. 1t woald be a great in
centive to people to come up over the
great lakes to Duluth. as the beautiful
health resort could be reached by just
hundred miles travel. They would return
to their homes better pleased Aside from
the material interest in the park we
should regard it for the better things.
Anything that brings man nearer Gods
nature is inspiring and lofty We have
our chambers of commerce. great ships,
and great men from the South come to
visit us. The South does business with
us, and withal let us mix business with
poetry. and let us have that forest re-
serve" (Applause0
Bishop Gilbert followed and told how
his life had been saved when a young
man by going into the pine country and
of his pleasant trips about Leech lake.
Gen. c. c. Andrews was called upon.
but suggested that some of the physicians
speak of the health claims of the park.
DR.. Burnside Foster responded to an in
vitation to speak. He thought Bishop Gill
bert's experience was the best example
OF the merit of the "pinerles' as a health
resort. tuberculosis carried off great
many people every year. The secret to
its cure was open air. and he thought it
the most accessible place for persons of
limited means. and, perhaps. for those
without any means with little state aid.
if the park was established
f. I. Whitney. of the Great Northern.
was called upon. He was heartily in
favor of the park scheme and thought 1t
a great thing for the state. For. as he
said. in the language of the poet the
visitors would Elk their unbuttoned stara