New-York tribune., 1902-02-07
FOR SCIENTIFIC FORESTRY
ASSEMBLYMAN DAVIS HAS A BILL TO
REGULATE TREE CUTTING IN
THE ADIRONDACKS.
TsY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE. ]

Albany. Feb. 6.-AssembIyman Gherardi Davis,
or New-fork, has been IN correspondence with
men skilled in scientific forestry, thinking in
troduce an amendment to the constitution of this
state which would permit Of establishing in the
forest preserve Of the State in the Adirondacks A
system Of scientific forestry. Mr.. Davis received
letters on the subject from Clifford Pinchot, of the
United States Forestry Department. and others
he has had consultations here with the officials Of
the State Forest Fish and Game Commission
Finally, Mr. Davis drew up amendment to the
constitution This he has submitted 10 the As
semoy- 1t authorizes the cutting Of timber in
the States forests. but. unlike Senator Browns
amendment TO the constitution, it does not limit
the cutting Of trees those Of a certain dimen-
sion Mr. Davis said
II the officials of the State cannot be trusted to
5 5oI 1o~n s Only those trees which should be cut
Gown according 10 system Of scientific forestry.
then they cannot be trusted at all. and would
cutting Of timber Ny Amendment also authorizes @
leaving land for camp sites Of not more than two
lease camp sites in the -Adirondaeks Then pro-
Adirond citg pr "a Ii alas ~, 20 ~, % @ .Ie
ceeds Of such sales to the purchase Of lands within
the Adirondack Park.
Mr.. Davis's proposed amendment 10 the constitu-
tion reads as follows:
Section : of Article VII Of the Constitution:
Section Z. The LANDS Of the State now owned
as now fixed by law, shall be forever kept as wild
forest lands. Except as authorized by this article
taken by any corporation, public or private, nor
shall the timber thereon be sold. removed
destroyed
The foregoing provision hall not be construed
70 forbid the cutting of timber according 10 a sys-
tenn OF scientific forestry and under such rules and
regulations as the commission having charge OF
the forest preserve may adopt TO forbid the
laying out OF roads along such routes may be
approved by said commission, nor the control of
the use OF such roads by it. But steam rail
roads shall be constructed or operated upon State
lands in said foresr preserve.
The prohibition 20 lease herein contained shall
not apply 70 camp sites not exceeding two acres in
extent; but not more than 25O feet Of shore line
on any lake or river shall be leased TO any
lessee NOR shall more than one-half Of such shore
line be leased. shall a lease be made for q
lsnger period than twenty years Leases shall be
sold to the highest bidder, and shall grant any
exclusive fishing or hunting privilege, nor permit
the inclosure OF land with a fence. nor contain
any restriction Of the right Of the public TO cross
the premises.
All funds derived from the sale OF timber or
otneT produce from leases of State lands shall
be applied to the purchase OF forest lands within
the boundaries OF the Adirondack Park, the
pense OF tree planting and reforestng and Of
carrying out the plans approved hereunder by the
commission having charge Of the forest preserve.
The legislature may authorize the sale OF State
lands outside of the Adirondack Park and adjacent
thereto and the application of the proceeds OF
such sale TO the purchase OF lands within the
Adirondack Park.
Laws shall be made 10 provide for the carrying
into effect Of this section.