Evening star., 1901-11-15
ON A BUSINESS BASIS
SECRETARY HITCHCOCK REoRGAN-
IzEs FORESTRY DIVISION.
New Men I'm Control Must See to Pres
eryation of Reserves and
Guard Timber.

The Secretary of the Interior mas just
completed the reorganization OF the Tor
estry division of the Interior Department
by appointing experts whose knowledge of
forestry is said to be second to none in the
country The action Of the Secretary
means much to the west and southwest,
showing as 1t does, that the control OF the
immense forest reserves of the country
will hereafter be based upon strict bust
ness principles.
Not only has Secretary Hitchcock
brought to his aid some of the leading ex-
perts of the country, but he has prepared
Instructions to guide the future manage
ment Of the division, which will mean care
ful work in future. The move Is expected
to result in scientific work for reforesta-
tion and the better care of the reserves,
which now include J0,O0OOO0 acres OF iand
in different states. The entire problem OF
preserving the forests of the country,
d guarding the sources of water supply, ara
Intelligent numbering Is involved, and II
has been studied. as whole. for more
than a year past by the Secretary. The
changes were made possible by legisla Tion
by the last Congress, including an dppro-
priation of S3oOO0o
Who the Appointees Are.
Mr. Filibert Roth is to be the head Of
the reorganized division. He has been in
the division OF forestry of the Agricul-
turaI Department for many years. He is
an old buffalo hunter cOwpuncher, sheep
raiser and lumberman, and in addition has
had an experience as professor at Cor
nell University for two years The other
appOintees include Smith Riley and VIII
liam H. b. Kent as head rangers; Edward
T, Allen of the state of Washington, forest
Inspector. and Henry j. Tompkins. forestry
expert. Mr.. Tompkins is graduate of
Cornell, has had large field experience. both
as an assistant and man in charge of field
forces. Messrs. Allen Riley and Kent have
had both technical and practical experience,
and combine the results of practical ex-
perience in the Adirondacks and western
forests with technical education In eastern
institutions.
The Secretary of the Interior has long be-
lieved that an intelligent administration of
forestry matters would do much to recon-
Gle western interests to the system of for
est reserves which are deemed essential to
the preservation of American woods, to the
protection of American forests and sources
of water supply. He has consulted from
time to time with Mr.. Clifford Pinchot, now
at the head of the forestry division CT the
Agricultural Department, and an acknowl-
edged authority on forestry matters. With
his assistance and that of other experts in
the government employ the Secretary has
worked out his present plan.
Business Rules Will Govern.
The Secretary has also prepared, with
some elaboration, rules covering the ques-
tioH of grazing and of business administra-
IlOn OF the forestry he DeleNeS
grazing permits should be issued only for
periods Of five years, and that preference
should be given residents in the vicinity
of the reserves, as against persons from a
distance. or residents of other states. Local
quest tons he holds. should be decided upon
local grounds, and in each case upon the
merits OF the question involved.
The sale of mature timber is to be en-
Outraged. well the disposal of dead
and down timber. which is menace to the
forest. forest oil and the conservation of
the water supply. In the sales of timber
market prices should rule, and list of sal
able timber Is to be kept In the office of
every timber supervisor
All applications for timber permits are
TO be promptly disposed of in future as
delays in this direction in the past have
lei 10 much criticism of the department.
The Secretary takes a decided stand rela-
tive to the protection of forests. He points
out the way for the use of forest guards as
distinguished from forest rangers. and rthe
Way in which they can be used effectively
in fighting fires.
1t has been determined that after January
], 1!H2. all timber killed by fire will be
charged for at the same rate as green tim
Der. This Is evidently designed to prevent
the burning of timber by lumbermen who
wish to secure permission TO cut 1t out
under dead and down operations. Every
possible phase of the forestry question has
been considered. and rules and regulations
for guiding those in charge of the forests
have been prepared and turned over to the
officers of the division for their guidance.