The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-12-07
Mr.. DOOly Explains Action of
Government.
GREAT FOREST RESERVE
TAKES IN SOURCES OF CITY7S
WATER SUPPLY.

John Z. Dooly returned home yester-
day morning from his trip to the east
and is highly elated over the success
of his mission to the national capital
As the result of his visit to Washing
ton and the work done there, all the
government land in the mountains
above this city from Davis county to
a point far down below the present
limits Of the city and forming the
watershed from which much of the
city's water supply is obtained. was
withdrawn from entry and viii be con-
verified into permanent forest re-
serve for the benefit of this city. 1t is
estimated that there are in the neigh
borhoOd of 1000. 900 acres included in
ms exemption, and the action of the
government in the matter viii in time
prove a great blessing to the city.
speaking OF the matter Mr. DOoly said:
went to Washington at the re
quest of Mayor Thompson to obtain the
withdrawal of all the public lands the
CCupatlOn OF which would injuriOusly
erect the water supply of salt Lake
Olty- Upon obtaining the maps I sub
united them to Secretary of the In
terror Hitchcock, together with the
reasons why, in my Judgment these
lands should be withdrawn from public
safe The secretary conceded the i'm
poftance of the City'S prayer and di-
Iected commissioner Hermann to care
fully examine the matter The only
objection urged was the partial oc-
eupauon of the area included in the
watershed VIXEN it was explained that
the city Of Salt Lake had purchased of
the Union Pacific Railway company the
ODD sections covered by the land grant
n
secretary and the commissioner seemed
TO realize the necessity Of withdrawing
this land and maintaining a pure water
supply for this valley"
Prompt Action Taken.
''As a portion Of the land was to be
opened for entry Dec. g. continued
Mr.. Dooly; I urged Immediate ac-
ton, and the people of this city are
heavily indebted to the officials named
for the prOmptness with which they
acted in this matter. The commissioner
visited Salt Lake last year and be-
came familiar with the subject. He
saw that our reservoirs were the ac-
foundations Of snow on the mountain
peaks above the city. The order was
signed on Tuesday of last week and
has no doubt been received by the
register and the receiver of the land
office in this city ere this The next
examine the land withdrawn from sale
After this it is the purpose of the de-
parUment to declare il a forest reserve
The government viii then appoint one
or two forest rangers to protect the
reserve from wanton tTespass and the
destruction of the timber These
rangers viii Cooperate with the state
fish and game warden to protect the
fish and game on this territory. Too
much credit cannot be given Secretary
Hitchcock and Commissioner Hermann
for their consideration and prompt ac-
ton in this very important matter,
and they have placed the people of
salt Lake under heavy obligations.
The completion of the work viii re-
quire no action of congress. After the
proper investigation is made, final ac-
ton viii be taken by Secretary Hitch
cock and President Mckinley in ac-
cOrdance with an act passed during
the Cleveland administration"
As to politics Mr.. DCOly said. Utah
is being congratulated on all sides in
the east on her return to stay in the
Republican column. 1t is remarked
everywhere that Utah shows the
greatest percentage Of Republican
gain of any state in the union. PrOmi-
nent men Of all parties were gather
ing in Washington for the work of
congress which promises to be very
effective Little hllibustering IS antici-
pated. Many of the southern Demo-
Gratis are in hearty accord with the
financial policy of the present admin
iStratiOn as was evidenced by the
sentiments expressed at the bankers
convention in Richmond"