New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
SOUTHERN FOREST RESERVE.
BILL IN CONGRESS TO PROVIDE FOR
PURCHASE OF TWO MILLION ACRES
IN THE APPALACHIANS
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE.I

BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE IhlbINE-I
Washington, Jan. Ex-senator Pritchard, of
North Carolina, has introduced a bill in Con-
gress which aims al preserving the forests in the
eastern portion Of the country, just as the 1el-
lowstone and other great reserves have perpetu-
ated and protected those in the Far West.
Among the virgin forests of the Republic, none,
except perhaps those of Oregon and California,
exceeds the mountain region that is the special
object OF Mr.. Pritchards solicitude The oaks,
balsams, cedars and other trees of the South
Appalachians are to be numbered with the most
useful known TO man. There has been danger
since the settling of that vast sweep Of
territory that the forests within the noun
tain region of the States Of Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina Georgia, Alabama and
Tennessee will be destroyed, or at any rate
more than decimated within few years. and
that, if no steps by the Government Of the
United States are taken. the entire tree system
of these States will be obliterated, leaving the
peaks and valleys of six great States of the
Union divested of timber and foliage
Senator Pritchard's measure empowers the
Secretary of Agriculture to purchase land. not
20 exceed two million acres in area. in the States
named. and to protect, use and make accessible
the same a forest preserve, when so pur-
chased No timber is to be sold otherwise than
by public auction. except to actual settlers. and
in no case at less than the appraised value,
the proceeds to be covered into the Treasury Of
the United States. Five million dollars is ap-
propriated, and shall be available until the eX-
piration Of the fiscal year 1901. unless sooner
expended The people Of Western North Caro-
lima are specially interested in this question,
and former Internal Revenue Collector Kerr
Elias has come to Washington to represent
their wishes.
The bill of Senator Prtchard has been re-
ferred TO the Committee on Forest Reservations.
1t is believed that the committee will report in
favor OF this bill. and Mr.. Elias thinks that the
measure will pass at the present short session.
at any rate, that 1t will pass the Senate The
reserve to be created is entitled in the measure
the Southern Appalachian Forest Reserve. In
support of the Pritchard bill, President Mckin-
ley has recently transmitted with his approval
a report from the Secretary Of Agriculture on
the suitability and value of the proposed APP
palachian Park Secretary Wilson, who was au-
thorized by provision in the Agricultural APP
preparation bin passed last session to investi-
gate forest conditions in the Southern Appala-
chians. says:
l have made thorough Investigation Of the for
Mountains, including an estimate Of the amount
and condition OF the stanalng umpsr. an taS iiiiuS
park as proposed by the Appalachian Natonal
Park Association. and an examination OF the Valid-
the creation of such park, In this task have
assistance through the United States Geological
Survey from the I'm dn 1i and md ideI diused
The forest investigation made to include
study OF the character and distribution OF the spe-
cies OF timber trees the density and value OF Tor
est growth the extent TO which me timber mas
been cut damaged by fire. the size and nature
Of the present holdings the prices az pd wTm e 'S
erai and special conditions that affect the prose
The movement for the purchase and control of a
large area of forest land in the East by the Gov,
ktnAN
park The idea Of Natona PARK is conserya
forest reserve instead of park. 1t is fully shown
SelfsGpporting D from the sale OF timber under wise
y directed conservative t4TeSty, ~ 1901 Wamnd
are still in their primitive condition ana u tHese are
The region in general better adapteJ for for
about the he"Hwr,@rs S 1l !! snWannab Yadkin and
power and for navigation. The general conditions
within The region are exceptionally favorable for
the carving large operations in practical for
estry and the weather Is suitable for numbering
oDerations al all of the year. 1t contains
Greater variety Of hard wood trees than any other
region of the United States since the Northern and
Southern species here meet II is a region Of ex
ceptiona beauty and plctuTesqIeness. and although
parts at all seasons OF the year by far the greater
portion OF ITS would he easily reached and
climatcally pleasant throughout the year
II contains within tn" forest covered areas no
large settlements or large mining operations which
forest and Yet there is sufficient popula-
tion working and protection ile forests
Large lumber companies rapidly invading the
region and the early destruction the more valu-
able timber s imminent. Lands in this region suit
able for such forest reserve now generally
held in large bodies of from 5000 900 acres
and they be purchased at prices ranging non,
50 s. an acre 1t is probable that the averag
price would exceed So In eXpIana ton
Of the widespread and urgent demand for the es-
IA blishment in this Southern Appalachian region
of a National park forest reserve il may be
added that it contains the highest and largest
mountain masses and perhaps the widest and most
M scenery east OF the MiSSigSipni Evpr
that II is region Of perfect heathfuluess already
largely used 4 health resort both summer and