The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-11-20
FOREST RESERVES

Affecting as It does 50 many q cur
varied interests the question ot torss;
reserves Is one whlch has justly re-
caivei much attention a, the hands q
the people N the sections wnere these
vast tracts Of natural forests have been
dellneated. II hiss lonS been oonceied
that il was imperative that something
shoull be done to stoD the ra2,d dis
traetiOn Of these great resrcplrs o.
nature and prevent tha ultimate iniu-
rious consequences tina; would follow
the denuding Of our mountains x their
timber growth. Investigation has
shown that the disappearance Of for
ests has had a direct influence upon
climatic conditions, This influence has
been detrimental to the great agr'cul-
tural interests OF the country. in that 1t
has tended 70 the rapid evaporation OF
moisture from the ground, thereby Oe-
easloning often recurring drouth and
prolongng intensely dry periods.
These facts were recognized by the
authorities at Washington and steps
wara immediately taken 10 prevent such
a result Orders were issued establish
ing forest reserves and withdrawing
vast areas Of land from occupation and
use by the public. Necessarily these or
ders worked hardship on many inter-
ests heated upon these reserves Di-
verse conditions existed and 50 varied
were these conditions that a general
rule could not be laid down tha, would
not injuriOusly affect many Of those in
terests. This has led to many COM
plants to the department and a; one
time threatened to result in the aban-
donmen; OF the effort to establish these
reserves. But more conservative IDEAS
have prevailed, and wi;hJu, receding
from MS position in the mater the
secretary OF the interior has issued an
order creating a bureau Of forestry IN F.
der the Interior d-plrm nj. The sec /
retary's letter Of instruction u the
bureau contains rules and regulations ,
which !: Is believed will d. away with
many Of III objections which hive
been advanced against the former regu- (
lations. and. outlining as 1t does The .
policy, Il is Of special in .
teres; to Oregon.
The wide extension or the forest .
reserve area is. in my Judgment he
says, the most vital need Of our west
ern forests and Of the vast interests
which depend upon them. The U.s. Of
real agricultural land within forest
reserves for agricultural purposes
should be encouraged, and every ether
reserve or reserves should be made
available for conservative use. Each
reserve should be dealt with on its own
merits. The present system Of rules
FOR diverse conditions Is simply de-
Meeting other objections 70 former
rules, provisions are mad for grazing
N reserves except where some injury
'esults the government res.rving tn
light to decide on the number Of head
o be grazed on each reserve and to
establish boundaries bstween sheep and
:attle ranges. Owners and local associ-,
ltions will be hsd responsible for the
1ropsr observance Of permits and the
Il the reserves Sheep and
.lt.le owners securing prints will
ave exclusive right to the ranges for !
I've ears. Residents will have ORE
.edence over tramp owners, or owners
rom other states. The sale )f mature .
i've timeber viii be encouraged.
Dead down. and hopeless.y injured
imber will be prJmp.ly disposed Jf
Me timber, before being sold. is to BE- d
divert sad. marked and measured. Ap- .
licalons will promptly b. acted upon, g.
be price asked to be prevailing market d
ates. Trail construction viii be en- T
outraged and fraudulent location Of \
inning claims guarded against.