Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-11-29
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
rlan. for fore.try Reform

HIS W
forms In the administration of forestry
affairs In the West under control OF
the Interior Department. He will en-
dcavor 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 VIII 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 or 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
tlss secretary holds very liberal views.
lie states that the central Idea should
he cooperation between the govern
nicnt 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
III. representatives. OF the various Inter
csts involved. should decide upon the
number OF head To bc grazcd on each
forest reserve. or each subdivision OF
u 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 lie held NJ
sponsiblc for the obs.rvanc. OF the
terms OF permits and the prevention OF
iir- aud oy-reraxlnE. Each sheep own
cr should have the exclusive right To
his range. and the snmc should apply
within reasonable limits to groups OF
cattle owners.
Grnxins permits should run for i've
years. and residents should have the
precedence In all eases over tramp
owners ani owners from other states.
bocal questions should l.. decided ON
local grounds nnd OH their own merits
IN each s-rarut. ease. Provision
should b- mad. for necessary routes OF
transit In taking stock to and from ~.
serve. ns the SEASONS change. The en-
tir- policy OF the government should
b- based upon regulation rather than
upon prohibition.
In dealing with the public the sccrc.
inTy urges the adoption Of simple.
strict business practices: that settlers
living on or near the reserves H. fur.
ni.hcd with copies Of forestry rcsuia.
tons nni rules 80 as to insure famii.
iaFiiy with their provisions. The n,ia.
'inns between the government and pur.
chHscrs should b. direct. simple aud
businc.s.iik-.
The sale of mature timber should 10
encouraged. Dead. down and hais-l-p..
ly injured timirr should bc disposed of
rs rapidly ns possible as IL. presence
IL Mt all times thryat to- the forrest
coll. and the conservation uf the water
supply. Timber ready for the ny
should hc advertised in advance Of M.
plica;ion nud marked and measured in
advance OF sale whenever the condition
Of the forest. the probable market and
ihr iurgr ututlablr VIII permit Arplis
cations for Underwriting should reach
shc general land ofiic- FROM the field
accompanied by all papers necessary
for a decision.
The construction of trails should he
pushed through the reserves. and blnE.
inr Of boundary lines. collection OF In.
formation regarding Increases or ~.
trcuchmcn's Of ARA. the mapping Of
timber. and similar work should pro.
cccd steadily throughout the year.
The secretary will URGE the appro-
rriation by Congress Of an adequate
fund. from which temporary assistance
In supprcssinr fires may bc paid
promptly. the present dilatury practice
In payments tending to discourage set.
tiers from assisting In fighting fircs.
With the adoption Of the policy thus
outlined Secretary Hitchcock is of the
opinion that the forestry interests of
the West will bc placed upon a sui.
sian,inl and practical workiu. basis.
profitable To th. government and salts.
factory to the settlers on aud adjacent
to the reserves.