The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-17
NOT FAIR METHODS
How the Big Lumber Companies OF
the West Are Getting All
e Their Timber.
The Spirit of the Law Is Violated
Suits Are Brought in
Many Cases.
From The Journal Bureau. Room 49,

F,o,n The Journal Bureo1. aoo"' So ~
Wa sh;neton. Nov. 17.-So alarming mas
tho timber land situation become IN the
northwestern and Pacific coast STATES ,hal
Secretary Hitchcock has peen loiceu "
take radical action to prevent all the tiilA-
Der land in those sections liolA pae
into the hands Of the big lumber compan-
les and OF individual operators: MOI ollS
was the destruction Of the timber threat
ened, but the successful operation OF 'iie
Hansbrough irrigation law was also III
great danger of notification.
This situation has been orougne aoous
by the continuance on the statute DOCKS
~ tho timber and stone act, and the act
allowing the use of timber on publlc Janus
NV mineral claimants Under the Lrst
named act any person can go into a puoiic
land office and acquire tract Oh 10y s.ol 90
of the finest timber land by paying S1.oo an
acre (s4O0) and the usual fees ana co1iliAie
sions, and by making atidavlt .ii sa;+h ,o,
she Is entering the land in good fa1th 1or
his or her own individual use because II
ia more valuable for timber than Tor asrl-
cultural purposes.
The object Of the passage OF the law was
all right but the special agents OF the III
terror department have discovered IND.
vast tracts have been entered by men ana
women acting as agents for the Dig lun-
her companies and individual operators.
The first outcome of the Investigations
made by the interior department was
suit brought in Montana against Onlteo
States Senator Clark for the recovery OF
title to many thousands OF acres OF lahu
which had been gained by these aAeseu
fraudulent entries. The suit is stu peho-
ING The investigations were continued
in states further west-Idaho, washington
Oregon and California. AS last as sus-
picious circumstances developed the secre-
tary suspended action on entries and OIL
rected that the entrymen be called upon 10
show cause why their entries shoulo not
be Cancelled The latest order or TINS kEno
was issued last month regarding lands In
Oregon. and more drastic measures We're
taken in California An order was issued
for the withdrawal Of millions of acres or
land in the northern part of that state with
a view to establishing several forest re-
serves. This was the only way the secre-
tary could discover to checkmate the
schemes of those who were trying to get
these valuable lands for little money.
Under the mining laws, location would
be made and the timber on the tract en-
braced in the mineral location would De
cut ostensibily for use in the mines put
really it was sold. Whether used for the
mines or sold the effect was the same-the
land was denuded Of timber and that much
benefit lost to the government.
The acquisition Of public timber land by
private parties would in the secretary s
opinion. have but one ending and it was
thought best to take effective measures be-
fore the destruction of the timber was
accomplished. The secretary found that
If indiscriminate destruction OF timber
was continued the conservatism Of the wa
ter supply in the west would be threatened
In maintaining Irrigation works to be con-
structed under the Hansbrough law more
or less steady supply Of water is absolutely
necessary and it is a recognized fact thai
the supply is conserved in the vast forests
in the higher lands. With the destruction
Of the forests, and the consequent loss Of
water, the plans for the reclamation of the
arid lands Of the west would be a tota
failure.
Recognizing the danger, the secretary
has Withdrawn lands for forest reserves
wherever possible, and has checkmatet
the plans Of the alleged timber thieve!
in other ways.
The secretary has heretofore recon
mended legislation to remedy the evils
pointed out and there is bill pending ii
the senate for the amendment of the tim
Der and stone act. He will deal extensivel.
with this subject In his forthcoming an
nual report. 1t is known that he has al
ready discussed the subject with Presiden
Roosevelt, who Is in hearty accord witt
him in his efforts to save the forests from
destruction.
w. w. Jermane.