Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-27
FOREST RESERVES AND NATIONAL PARKS

Congressman John r. Lacey having
been asked by the editor Of the Times
Republican to write an editorial upon
the subject uppermost in his mind sub
mits the following:
Mature has been SO profuse in her
gifts to the people OF the United States
that for century the first object of our
citizens has seemed to be to destroy
these advantages as speedily as posi-
BILE.
''In answer to a written inquiry as to
the American policy in regard to our
forests. the answer by welf-informed
person was made with laconic brevity,
Our policy is to git rid of them Usual
horse is gone. The state of New York
is endeayoring to undo the devastating
work Of the last generation by reforest-
ing the Adirondacks, initiating the ex-
ample set in France where great sums
are being expended in replanting mount
ain sides to save the plains below from
the destructive washing of the sand and
gravel from the heights above. The at
tention OF our people has at last been
aroused and they are beginning to be
aware OF the fact that our woods are
good for something besides fuel and
lumber.
ut is fortunate that realization OF
this fact has come before they were all
completely ruined.
1.-THE maxim OF the Arab that The tree
yr 49, ,fn{y to- frff
in America as In Arabia Felix. The
progress Of legislation in this country in
recent years in forestry matters has
been very gratifying to all who have
given the subject serious consideration.
THE accepted policy now may be said
to be to preserve the timber, instead OF
destroying 1t. Many millions OF acres OF
forest lands are still held by the gov
crnment, and the recent land laws have
been framed with view to preserving
these forests, not from use, but for use
OF the people. Under this enlightened
policy there have been set apart for for
est reserves nearly fifty millions of acres
Of public timber land in various parts
Of the United States. The administra-
tion Of this vast domain, so that fully
lmatured' trees may be marketed and the
younger growth preserved from fire and
other hazards is q matter of great diff
ficulty, but its Importance demands the
most intelligent and painstaking action.
It 10 much easier to preserve these gifts
OF nature now than to attempt to restore
them hereafter.
Kindred to forest protection is the
subject OF national parks. The beauties
and wonders Of the Yellowstone, with
its lakes, canyons, falls, glass mount
aims. petrified forests. geysers and boil
Ing springs, first suggested the idea OF
setting apart this Wonderland as place
Of recreation for all the American peo-
pie. In 1t no gun may be fired and here
alone IN all the world man is al peace
with nature.
"The idea OF reserving the most re-
markable Of natures works for the
| pleasure OF the nation has proved pop
ular one, and now the Yosemite Park.
Mount Rainier and others of the most in
| teresting of our natural objects are pro-
tected from vandalism for generations
| yet to come. The remarkable Cliff
Dwellers' region in New Mexico and the
great petrified forest Of Arizona should
be added to our list Of national parks.
..New York Is now trying to rescue the
Palisades of the Hudson from the hand
OF the destroyer. Where such wonderful
natural objects are still in the control of
the federal government 1t is best that
they should remain as the property of
| the people JOHN r. LACEY"