The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-09-23
Does not Believe The
Land Bureau Gives,
Information
Thinks Reserve in South.
western Oregon Should
be Revoked and Others
Reduced

Your request for an expression up
on the question of forest reserves IN
Oregon reached me during my alb
sence from home. and hence this de
lay in reply. Since Senator Fulton has
so completely covered the subj ct In
a recent communication, in most oi
which | cordially concur shall be
brief.
In those portions of our state where
the rain fall is light and irrigation Is
necessary, the forest area should be
protected, and in other portions. upon
the mountain SUBMITS and at the
heads Of streams near the SUBMITS,
the timber upon such elevations
should be preserved and protected
from fires. All Withdrawals from the
public domain in Oregon which upon
examination do not come within
these qualifications should be revoked
and the lands restored TO settlement
and entry, that such portions as are
suitable for homes may not be indeh.
nitely be withheld from disposition
under the land laws. thus retarding
the growth aud development Of our
STATE.
A careful examination should fur.
ther be made Of all existing reserves.
with view to the elimination OF the
agricultural lands and OF the open
grazing lands, which have been erron.
eously included In such reserves.
The recent withdrawal OF 1900. 900
acres in Southwestern Oregon, en-.
bracing portions OF Josephine, Doug
las. Coos and Curry counties, as at
present described. should be at once
revoked, not only because OF the hu.
mid atmosphere which pervades
much OF that region, with the rapid
tree growth and natural reproduction
OF the forest, but because OF the great
area within the withdrawal limits now
settled and owned and utilized for
farming, grazing, mining and lumber.
ing purposes, as well as other por-
tions still vacant. agricultural and
grazing lands suitable for homes. A
further objection exists TO his with
drawal in the opportunity IL affords
the owners OF worthless granted or
other lands-of which there are great
quantities-to exchange the same in
case OF reserve for valuable lands
still vacant and desirable for settle
ment and entry In other portions OF
our state.
To these objections should be added
the recently expressed protest OF the
people residing within the withdrawal
limits. and that from the communities
county authorities and boards OF
trade contiguous 10 the withdrawal
and affected by II. To successfully
maintain a forest reserve there should
exist a cordial cooperation and ap.
proval as between these classes and
the general government
II is TO be hoped for the future no
reserves be created. either In this or
any other stat r., until the authorities
of the state shall be first notified OF
such inteltion and time given for
he submission of objections, If any
Exists, to such PROPOSED reserve. The
people directly interested in the up
and advancement OF a state.
md who best know how far the inclu-
lion OF large portions OF their state in
reserve will either aid or retard the
general welfare. should be entitled 10
his Difference.
Referring TO the belief expressed by
iome that in the formation OF re
ierves illegitimate advantage has been
extended spectators and grafters in