Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-03-12
PROTECT FORESTS
Commissioner Richards Tells About
the Governments Policy.


washing tOus udECA 4V' -OOinnAS
sioner Richards, Of the general land
Office, who is the special represents
tive of the president in all matters
pertaining to lands, irrigation and
forestry and who was formerly fol-
four years governor of Wyoming
yesterday made the following state.
ment respecting the present and the
future of the administration relat-
ing to the establishment and control
of forest reservations:
"The presidents purpose and de-
sire is to protect and preserve the
remaining forests upon public lands
from the devastation and destruction
which has been the fate of those in
large portions of the Appalachian
mountains and in other forest sec
tions Of the country. In doing this
a supply of timber will be preserved
for future need and natural sources
of water supply will be SO protected
as to prevent flooding of the streams
during the spring time and the melt
ing of the SHOWS and to insure water
for irrigation and other purposes
during the dry season. The estab-
lishment and proper maintenance OF
forest reserves is indispensable to
any extensive reclamation Of cultiva-
ton of lands in the arid region un-
der the recent act OF congress, which
appropriates for that purpose the
proceeds Of the sales Of public lands.
It is and has been the presidents
constant policy to encourage the ac-
tual settlement of the country by
home builders in every way, to see
that actual settlers within the forest
reserves are accorded every reason
able protection and that those living
within the immediate vicinity of these
reserves who are dependent upon the
reserves for grazing are, as for cat
tie and horses and for necessary tim
Der for building and fuel, accorded
access to the reserves for these pur-
poses under such reasonable restric-
tons as will prevent waste and de-
struction. II has been SO conclusive
ly demonstrated that uncontrolled
sheep grazing within forest reserves
is Injurious to the forest growth and
to the natural water cover that the
great migratory flocks of sheep arc
necessarily kept out Of the reserves;
but even this policy is pursued with
cautions attention to the prevention
Of injury 70 those engaged in sheep
raising. The preservation of Wild
game, such a. moose, elk and deer,
which Is only 9 minor feature Of the
control Of the forest reserves, Is au-
thorized BY act Of congress, which di-
reefs that those employed In the for
estry service shall in all practicable
ways aid in the enforcement Of the
game and fab laws Of the state OF
territory In which the forest reserve
Il located. The law Of the state or
territory upon this subject is TO Be
the sole guide Of these officers. he
United States has interposed no law
Of its own and the administration
has given no directions 10 it, for
estry officers other than that the
local laws whatever they may be.
shall be enforced. In some Of The
western states and territories, notar
Div wyoming. TIE govcrnmens for
esf rangers are BY laWa q state
made assistant game wardena q he
state. ne work Of cltahliahinE Nd
.iuiulninr fo1uli reserves win h1Qa
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