New-York tribune., 1900-10-02
FOR A NATIONAL PARK
PROFESSOR MARIA SANFORD'S Eff
FORTS TO PRESERVE THE MIN
NESOTA FORESTS-WOAEN
ELECTIONEERTNG.

As result Of the efforts Of Professor Maria San
ford OF the University Of Minnesota, there is now
before Congress q bill the object OF which is 10
preserve great National park the native for
ests waters and topography of extensive tract
OF land IN the northern part OF Minnesota The
OF the State are deeply interested in the
movement. and have entered into the campaign
work with great enthusiasm, taking up the cudgel
themselves and doing their best to secure the cleo
tion OF members who are favorable TO protective
forest legislation
Speaking Of her work Professor Sanford said:
The majestic beauty Of our grand old Minnesota
that has few relics OF the past II always seemed
cent forests, q priceless heritage from a bygone
past In addition 10 sentimental considerations,
every motive OF commercial interest the plain fact
Of their money value and what they will do for
public health should show people the folly of this
There are few great truths in forestry that
VIII grow soil that IS TOO poor for field crops.
mis- wsit Tor many years for TJTnber cro1 YET
capital properly invested in forest plantations viii
about 8 per cent compound Interest The forest
affords a great market for labor in winter months,
and yields many indirect benefits. At the sources
Of rivers II IS reservoir Of moisture maintaining
sceneTy The white p1ire Of trees and fbs tes2 80
timber in the worlds q native Of North America
ana aourtshes espe tally well IN Minnesota II does
cold winters. Our Minnesota forests Of ten million
acres are especially r1ch IN valuable timber trees
Il was while on q pleasure tour that the idea OF
great National park drst suggested itself TO me
hundred
niles northwest Of Duluth and found II 10 exceed
highest expectations in the beauty OF It's forsst
shores and availability for q health and pleasure
resort.
Returning. 7 broached my plan TO Professor
SorL1Top OF the University of Minnesota and it
ceiyed MS enthusiastic appreciation. The agitation
70 secure the beautiful tract further strength
sned by the report Of committee Of State medical
societies which visited Cass and Leech lakes TO in
Vesugare their durability as health resorts. This
committee found that Minnesota was peculiarly
fortunate in having in the northern part of the
state most happy combination Of sandy soil pine
diuons for health resorts for the relief OF con-
sunpuves, neurasthenics and all invalids in need
OF rest.
The proposed park, which will be in many re-
spects the most important forest reserve IN the
country, VIII centre about the headwaters of the
Alssissippi River The tract Is about hundred
niles broad and fifty miles from north south In
l1ls tract are about eleven hundred lakes inClud-
ing the famous lakes Cass Winnibigoshish and
tasca which is the OF the Mississippi River
Brook trout, lake trout, salmon trout black bass
ana Other game fish inhabt the lakes and streams
Bear, Ceer and small game abound IN the forests
The high altitude, abundance Of water and game
and comparative accessibility make this region ideal
FOR National pleasure ground
some opposition IS expected from persons owning
LInosr lands there, but there IS intention in
ter1er1ng with the rights OF ownership Of previous
settlers n mercantile pine or the occupancy of pre-
Floos settlers or Indians IN this region.
The State OF Minnesota already owns a considera-
pc portion OF the land. which was forfeited II
.of non-psyTnent Ot taxes, and by making fair Of
iers 20 present owners there should be little diff
Guilty IN securing all Of the tract that IS desired.