Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-11-06
PROTECT FORESTS
REPORT OF:cOMMISSlONER OF
general 1LAND OFFICE.
Area Burned Over on Reserves
Constantly Decreasing, Showing
Efficiency oil Government F0res-
try Force...Enects of Grazing
Will Be Carefully Watched.
Over on Reserves

Washington, ID. c., Nov. 4.-The
annual report OF Binger Hermann, of
the general land office, shows that the
public land disposed of by the govern
ment during the year aggregated 49,
4SS, 535 acres, an increase of 1926, $50
over the previous year. OF the aggre-
gate, ,577 ,793 acres were sold for cash,
1854, 1892 acres were embraced in
miscellaneous entries and the remainder
were Indian lands.
Commissioner Hermann recommends
a large appropriation specifically for
surveys in Alaska, and to provide for
an increased number of special agents
to prevent timber depredations and to
protect public lands from unlawful
enterprises.
The report also renews previous
recommendation for compulsory at
tendance OF witnesses in hearings before
district land officers; for repeal OF
existing laws regarding timber valua-
tion on reserved public lands and SUBJ
stitution therefor of laws providing
ample protection for the forests and
furnishing means by which monopolies,
settlers, miners and others may secure
a sufficient supply of timber for their
legitimate needs, legislation to potect
game and fish in forest reserves; extern
sion of the boundaries of Yellowstone
National Park, and legislation giving
the president authority to set apart as
national parks, land tracts having
scientific or historic interests, or con-
tanning springs OF medicinal properties.
1t Is urged also that the law as to
exchange of lands embraced in forest
reserves held by private owners for
public lands not in reservation be
changed so as to secure an approximate
value of the lands relinquished to those
selected in lieu thereof. On October |
last, there were 81 forest reserves,
embracing 60, l75, 675 acres, an increase
of almost $4,000, 900 acres acres since
the last report. During the fiscal year
there were 1868 forest fires discovered,
which burned over 1879 acres.
The constantly decreasing area burn
ed over is said to demonstrate the
efficiency of the government forestry
force. The report demonstrates that
the withdrawal and proper policing of
the forest lands of the government dur
ing the year has shown the following
results:
/. The work has proved self-support-
ing.
2. 1t has in addition brought in
revenue to the government.
3. Needed timber supplies have been
placed within lawful reach of the pub
lie. The depradations within the
reserve limits have practically ceased.
A little over 5000, 900 acres of land
were certified and patented to railways
during the year under the land grants
made by congress to aid in the con-
struction of railroads. During the sea-
son the interior department allowed
l JOY 900 sheep to enter eight of the
reservations for specified periods, the
grazing to be confined to specified areas,
and 459, 1877 head OF cattle and horses
to Craze in 38 Of the reservations.
Concerning reforestation, the report
says:
Assuming that the reforestation of
the denuded areas in the forest reserves,
where sufficient moisture prevails to
make the termination of SEEDS of the
native trees possible, might be expected
to result in good time, if the occurrence
of devastating fires could be reduced to
a minimum, and the grazing of stocks
restricted within proper limits and
reduced to safe basis, the forest force
has been required to make exertions to
prevent damage by fire and to keep the
office fully informed relative to the
effects Of stock grazing and to keep
out stock not licensed to enter the
reserves and all the evidences point to
almost unvarying success.
''The forest trees are coming back,
but only where there is plenty rainfall,
and not a little hope is found in the
fact that the native trees are reproduce
ing themselves in different portions of
the country where the fires are kept
out and where grazing is restricted
within reasonable limit, and many a
waste place is becoming wilderness of
verdure.'