New-York tribune., 1903-03-10
FOREST PRESERVATION.
PUBLIC LAND POLICY.
ITO lid TIE Home Builder and Check
tie Specaiator.

washington March 9.-Commissioner Rich
ards Of the General Land once, VINO y Ine
wcAcial representative Of the President IN al
matters pertaining to lands. irrigation anu
FORESTRY, to-day made the following statement
respecting the presert and the future policy OF
khis administration relating to the eetaOnSn-
supent and control OF forest reservations:
The Presidents purpose and desire are to pro-
o,ss,c Isnss from the devastation and destruc-
ttou which have been the fate OF those !n '1t 80
portions Of the Appalscnian Mounr oo,antry In
6osnT this a supply Of timber will be preserEsG pre
for future needs and natural sources OL 49,
supply w be 30 PFU,eEoeo Sesne the spris time and
the melting Of the SHOWS, and TO insurs ~
for irrigation and other purposes o0tnS
dry season. The establishment anu p.hpI .opIo
rnStrtenance OF forest reserves are indlspensanIe
TO any extensive reclamation or cuiuVauon t Ot
LANDS in the arid region unoes tne ne tbet nnr
oose the proceeds of the sales OF puohc iauuo:
r. Ia and has been the Presidents conslsIenS
policy to encourage tne aStuei ,n everv way,
the country by home builders IN everS .oraSt waSt
TO see that actual settlers "ithtII eiie -
reserves are accorded every reasonaoIIi tttt, pU
fection and that those living withh the SIIi's ~
oS these reserves who are dependent upon tne
r.soryes for grazing areas for cattle ana noIses
and for necessary timber Tor ouiiolns Ss the.e
So accorded access to the reserves TOT Iheee
@urroses under such reasonable restrictions as
1iT preyent waste and destruction.
has been cOncluSlVely QeLIIOASti 49,
uncontrolled sheep grazing within torest IeseLNt
ss Injurious to the forest growth and TO tne @ ma.
vrsI water cover that the great misrs'1hts 1hs
docks of sheep are necessarily kept ou. "a ,,itb @
reserves; but even this policy is pursued VIII
cautious attention to the prevention OL n LII
90 those engaged in sheep raising. Ihe preseis
ration ~ wild game such moose elk ano
deer which is only minor feature OF .ns -
FroI Of the forest reserves. Is autnorlzeo OS az
act Of Congress which directs that tnoSe en-
Moved In the forestry service snai IN an ~ q
SIcs Bile wsyH aid in the enforcement Oh .ne $50
End FISH laws of the State or Territory IN MnSLl S
fhe forest reserve is located line Ia" % -
state or Territory upon this suo1ecI ls 70 De te
sole guide Of these Officers The ohltsu S'o'S'
hss tnterposed no law OF its own, ana tne au-
~ninIsfrsfion has given 10 directions TO lts 1oI-
estrv officers other than that the local laws,
.ahatever thew may be, shall be enforced III
noroe of the Western States and Terrltofles,
notably wyoming the government Iorese
rangers are by the laws Of the state naue ds-
Kistant game wardens Of the state: . x
The work OF establishing ana maintaining IoI
hst reserves will have such vast ana oehenclat
S,6nence in the settlement and development OF
the Western States and Territories tnat y nus nus
re controlled by q fixed policy, to which matters
~ y,7.nor or temporary concern must give way
for the general and permanent public gooo.
The one guiding purpose OF the administrator
an dealing with forestry. with pasturage, ~lIn
9rriRation with the land generally, Is 20 helP
to make easy the path OF the nome ouHoeI
che small ranchman tier OF the SOIL, ana not
10 let the land he exploited and skinned py tnoss
who have no permanent interest tnerelil dIl1
who do not build homes or remain as ac'uai
. Sesidents