New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-02
NEW FOREST COMMISSION.
FIVE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE
GOVERNOR
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

E
Albany. March 1-Governor Roosevelt ap-
pointed new Forest. Fish and Game Commits
sion to-day with the purpose, it can reasonably
De believed, Of improving the administration of
the affairs of the Forest, Fish and Game De-
partment. With huge forest preserve to care
for in the Adirondack region and in the Cats
XIII Mountains. the work of this Commission is
of no inconsderable amount. The State has
expended S1,500000 already in the purchase Of
forest lands, and there is bill before the Leg
islature now appropriating 100000 for addi-
tional purchases of these lands. Thus the State
Will soon have forest domain upon which it
has expended 100000. With the great
schemes now before the Legislature for pre-
serving the forests. and thus protecting the
sources of the water supply OF the Erie Canal
and possibly of an enlarged Erie Canal, the
Governor feels that there should be an improve
ment in the forest administration.
The Forest, Fish and Game Commissioners
who superseded Barnet H. Davis. of
Palmyra, member of the Republican State
Committee, and who it is said, will be consoled
by Senator Platt by being appointed Deputy
State Treasurer; Charles II. Babcock, Of Roches-
ter Edward H. Thompson, of Suffolk County;
William L. Weed, of Potsdam, st. Lawrence
County. and Hendrick Halden, of Syracuse.
Governor Roosevelt has nominated for MEM
bers of the Commission the following named:
downe, of Buffalo; Frank Woods of Jamaica;
Dewitt c. Middleton. of watertown. and Delos
H. Mackey. of Delaware County. Mr.. Wads-
worth is be the president.
SKETCHES OF NEW MEMBERS
Austin wadsworth is a large land owner in
the Genesee Valley, and lives at Geneseo. He Is
a cousin Of Congressman James w Wadsworth.
He has always been interested in the preserva-
ton of game, and has stocked his own place
at Geneseo with game. After Governor Roose-
welt had made the appointment to-day he
informed that Mr. Wadsworth had once been
called to account for shooting some quail upon
his place. but the Governor told in explana
ton that Mr.. Wadsworth had merely shot his
own game Mr. Wadsworth IS president Of the
Boone and Crockett Club. organization de-
voted to the preservation of game and forests.
For years Mr.. Wadsworth has taken active
interest in forest preservation and against the
bounding of deer.
Percy Transformers appointment was recon-
mended by the Buffalo Society of Natural
Sciences. the declaration being made that he
has been active protector of the birds and
game of Erie County. Mr. Lansdowne is secre-
tary OF the Erie County Fish and Game Pro-
tective Society, and was recommended for APP
pointment member of the Forest, Fish and
Game Commission by Its members on account
Of his successful efforts to enforce the game
laws. His appointment was also recommended
by the Audubon Society, because of his success
in protecting sor z birds.
Dewitt c. Middleton is ex-Mayor OF Water
town and present Postmaster OF that city. He
viii resign that office. although his salary is
twice as large at present that of the office
which he assumes. He will take the new office
because he is keenly interested in the preserva-
ton Of the Adirondack forests as, indeed,
all the best Of WATERFOWL, since the Black
River depends for its water supply upon forest
reservoirs. Mr.. Middleton for many years has
been visitor in the summer months to the
Adirondacks, and has paid especial attention to
the means to be taken for forest preservation
and to prevent forest fires.
EX-Assembiyman Deos Mackey is a large
farmer and owner of woodlands. He was APP
pointed represent those interested In forest
preservation in the CatskilI region He has al
ways taken a keen interest in fish culture.
Judge Frank Woods, of Jamaica, has been the
legal representative Of the oystermen Of ia
maica Bay and student Of oyster culture and
deep sea fishing. He has spent much Of his
spare time in the Adirondack region and in the
forest region of Canada.
THE GOVERNORS VIEWS
Governor Roosevelt made the above appoint
ments after consulting Clifford Pinchot and
others interested in the scientific care of forests.
His intention was to appoint men who will be
scientific and yet practical, and who will be
interested in the care Of the forests and game all
over the State.
Governor RooseVelts design is 10 bring the
administration of the forests up to the highest
point of efficiency. Unless the administration OF
the forests is honest and capable, the Governor
does not believe the people Of the State will
ever consent to the cutting Of trees and harvest
ing of the forest crop.
In Germany the forests great source OF
revenue the State. Only of a certain
size cut. The public officials honest and
competent.
In selecting the members OF the Forest.
Fish and Game Commission the Governor had
less thought about what his appOintees now
know about forestry than he did about their
characters and attitude generally toward public
enterprises. The services these can render
to the Republican party he believes can be
dered only indirectly by making the For
est, Fish and Game Commission of NewYork
State example to ali other forest commits
sons Of other States.
POSSIBLE CONTEST IN SENATE.
1t is possible that the retirement of Charles
H. Babcock from the Commission will also in
volve his retirement from the office of member
of the Forest Preserve Board Of which his fell
low members are Lieutenant Governor Wood
ruff and the State Engineer, Mr.. Bond The
Rochester Senators reputed to be dispeased
over the fact that Mr. BabcOck was not reap
Dointed and a contest may follow over the con-
f1rrnation OF his successor The Senate is
close that two three votes may decide con-
test It is unknown what attitude the twenty
three Democrats in the Senate will take toward
these last nominations by the Governor.
HEARING on POLICY Bull
Albany March CSpecaD.-At the hearing OF the
policy before the Senate Codes Committee to-day.
red for he of