Gilpin observer., 1901-11-28
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Plans for Forestry Reform

S
has undertaken to effect radical re-
forms in the administration of forestry
affairs in the West under control Of
the Interior Department. He will en-
deavor to secure at the coming session
of Congress legislation which will en-
able the department to apply num-
ber of new and practical principles of
forestry administration and regulation.
The secretary, first of all, desires to
create several additional forest re-
serves in the West, but with bound
aries carefully drawn so that no in
jury will be done settlers, and so that
the smallest amount of scrip will be
liberated. The extension of forestry
reserve area is, in the opinion of the
secretary, vital requirement for the
preservation of western forests.
In an outline of proposed changes the
secretary recites that every effort
should be made by government officials
to gain the good will of residents in
and near the reserves, and especially
to create public sentiment against for
est fires and willingness to assist in
reducing them. He favors abolition of
the office of superintendent of forest
reserves and the concentration OF au-
thority with supervisors whose work
should be inspected frequently by in
spectors familiar with the woods and
having technical as well as practical
knowledge.
On the important question of grazing
the secretary holds very liberal views.
He states that the central idea should
be cooperation between the govern
ment and the grazing interests in Sc
curing the best management and bring
ing about the best condition of the
range. The government through its
forest officers, after consultation with
the representatives. of the various inter-
ests involved, should decide upon the
number of head to be graZed on each
forest reserve, or each subdivision of
a reserve, and should establish the
boundaries between cattle and sheep
ranges. The local stock associations
should assign ranges to owners within
the limits thus laid down, subject to
official approval. Both owners and
local associations should be held re-
sponsible for the observance of the
terms of permits and the prevention Of
fire and overgrazing. Each sheep own
er should have the exclusive right to
his range, and the same should apply
within reasonable limits to groups of
cattle owners.
Grazing permits should run for five
years, and residents should have the
precedence in all cases over tramp
owners and owners from other states.
Local questions should be decided on
local grounds and on their own merits
in each separate case. Provision
should be made for necessary routes Of
transit in taking stock to and from re-
serves as the seasons change. The en-
tire policy of the government should
be based upon regulation rather than
upon prohibition.
In dealing with the public the secre-
tary urges the adoption of simple,
strict business practices; that settlers
living on or near the reserves be fur
nished with copies of forestry regula-
tions and rules so as to insure famil-
iarity with their provisions. The rela-
tions between the government and pur-
chasers should be direct, simple and
business-like.
The sale of mature timber should be
encouraged. Dead. down and hopeless
ly injured timber should be disposed Of
as rapidly as possible as it's presence
is at all times threat to the forest
soil, and the conservation of the water
supply. Timber ready for the AK
should be advertised in advance of ap-
plication and marked and measured in
advance of sale whenever the condition
of the forest, the probable market and
the force available will permit. Appli-
cations for timber cutting should reach,
the general land office from the field
accompanied by all papers necessary
for decision.
The construction Of trails should be
pushed through the reserves, and blaz-
ing Of boundary lines, collection of in
formation regarding increases or re-
trenchments of area, the mapping of
timber, and similar work should pro-
ceed steadily throughout the year.
The secretary will urge the appro-
priation by Congress of an adequate
fund, from which temporary assistance
in suppressing fires may be paid
promptly, the present dilatory practice
in payments tending to discourage set
tiers from assisting in fighting fires.
With the adoption Of the policy thus
outlined Secretary Hitchcock is of the
opinion that the forestry interests of
the West will be placed upon a sub
stantial and practical working basis,
profitable to the government and salts
factory to the settlers on and adjacent
to the reserves.
Superintendent A. w. Machen of the
free delivery system of the Postoffice
II I.