New-York tribune., 1902-01-02
THE FOREST PRESER We.

Under CHAPTER o. Of the Laws Of 1901 the
various commissions having to do with the
Forest, Fish and Game departments were con-
soIidated under one head. / became cohNlhceu
after the passage of the appropriation Dill carry
ing an item of $3.50 900 for the purchase OF Adj
rondack land at the last session or the lesIs-
lature that the amount of money necessary Io
carry out the scheme of ultimate purchase OF the
entire preserve was of too great a magnitude
to be hastily sanctioned.
A bill was passed by the legislature and ap-
proved by the Executive in 1893 which proVlueo
that agreements might be entered into between
the State and owners of lands in the Adlroh-
dacks limiting the kind and size or tlmpei "
be cut in return for which exemption iroI" @ lne
State and county taxes upon such lands was
given. The restriction was that nothing but sol Il
wood above twelve inches in diameter shouId ne
cut. This provision has never been accepted py
any considerable number of land owners fOT
the purpose of ascertaning the sentiment upon
the subject. communication has been had WIN
the owners of the greater part of the land IN the
Forest Preserve.
l am convinced from such correspondence that
If the law were amended to prohibit the opera
tion Of acid factories and the cutting of timber
below ten inches I'm diameter. in return for the
assumption by the State of all taxes the
ultimate object aimed at in the preservation of
the forests could be accomplished without any
great expense. Such land now owned by indi-
viduals consists of about IO6,J14 acres of forest
land lOSO,2O4 acres of numbered land and 10I,-
This property probably could not be purchased
for less than SJ.0OO.UO0. Under the provisions
Of the present law. when the State purchases
the land ii assumes all taxes. In addition to
this, under our constitution, no public land can
be numbered
II, therefore, all property owned by indi-
Vlduals and corporations We're purchased the
result would be the destruction of the lumber
and wood pulp industries, which are among the
most valuable we have
The work in the AdirondaCks should he MIR
sred scientifically. Mature timber should be cut
ana denuded land. so far possible. replanted.
ana II the agreement here outlined were entered
INTO with individual owners. for restriction of
luhperlng and the replanting of their lands a
continuous growth and source of supply would
ls7uIt without fear of condemnation or en-
Cr"achment. There would be no desire to lum-
Der without thought of the future In addition
TO TINS, by the leasing Of small camp sites a
revenue and protection would result and the
Aulrondacks would soon be converted into a
health resort and a recreation park for all who
might desire 10 enjoy II. Suitable restrictions
providing for free ingress and exit couId no
placed in such leases
recommend, first that the present law bA
amended so as 10 permit an agreement with
owners 10 restrict the cutting of timber down
10 Ten lhChes IN diameter instead OF twelve and
HdI acld factories Toe prohibited: and that a
N"iSutuuohal amendment receive your sanction
thls year looking toward the scienti6c forestr,,
ana leasing Of the State lands These suFpes-
tlonS. II adopted, would furnish revenue for tho
building OF roads in the forests and for Other
items or expenditure made necessary In tho
care or the preserve, and would I am certain
bring in almost all of the private lands yri,bo,t
cost TO the State N'