Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-10
SAVES LAND FOR SETTLERS
Railroads Issue Statement Sharing PrsEi-
dents Fursu Rs serve Policy.
PERMANENT BENEFIT ALONE CONSIDERED
water Must ne Preserved for Irri-
cation. FeedinH Grounds for Game
and Path Mnas Easy Ser
Home BuildfnE.

WASHINGTON. March A--Commissioner
Richards OF the general land ufhce, who is
the special representative Of the president
in all matters pertaining 70 lEnoH trriEh-
ton hne forestry, today issued the follow
tnE statement respecting the policy % the
administration relating to the establish
msut and control Of forestry reservations:
The presidents purpose and desire is 10
protect Hno preserre the reTnHtning forests
upon public lands from the devastation ana
DESTRUCTION which has been the fate OF
those In lRrE- portions Of the Appalachian
mountains and IN other forest sections Of
the country. In doing this supply OF
timber viii be preserved for future needs
and natural sources Of water supply Will
the streams during the spring time and the
melting Of the SHOWS and 10 insure water
for irrigation and other purposes during
The establishment and proper mRinten-
ancs Of forest reserves was tndispensRhie
TO any extensive reclamation or cultivation
Of LANDS fu the arid region under the re-
cent act Of congress, which appruprla tes
for that purpose the proceeds OF The sales
Of public lands, il iE and has been the
presidents constant policy 70 encourage
the actual settlement Of the country by
home builders in every way. 10 see that ac-
tuRl settlers within the forest reserves are
accorded every reasonable protection and
that those living within unt immediate
vicinity Of these reserves who are dependent
upon the reserves for CrRzinE are accorded
access 20 the reserves for proper purposes
unEHT EuEn TEuHunanle reEulCLtUHk a. NAAl
prevent waste and destruction.
II has been SO Conclusfvely demonstrated
that uncontrolled sheep grazing within
fOrest reserves Is injurious 70 the forest
growth and 10 the natural water cover
that the great migratory fiocks OF sheep are
necessarily kept out Of the reserves, but
even this policy IL pursued with cautious
attention TO The prevention Of INJURY 10
( those engaged In sheep raising.
The preservation Of wild game, such as
moose, elk and deer. which Is only minor
/ feature Of the control OF the forest re-
/ serves, Is authorized 10y act Of congress-
which directs that those employed in the
forestry service shall in al prHCuCahle
I ways aid in the enforcement Of the game
/ and FISH laws uf the state or territory IN
{ which the forest is located. The Law Of the
( state or territory upon this subject Il 70 be
/ the sole guide Of these officers. The Unite :
I States hns interpused no law Of its own In
some OF The western states and territories
notably Wyoming, the government forest
I rangers are by the laws Of the state mAoe
assistant game wardens. The work OF es-
/ tabliEhinE and maintaining forest reserves
] VIII have snCh q vast ano beneficial In
flusuce In the settlement and development
4 Of the western states and territories that Il
( which matters Of minor temporary consio-
! GRAFTON must give way To considerations
/ Of the final and permanent public good
] The one guiding purpose OF the admins
] rratiOn IN deH ling with forestry. with pas
/ turRge with irrigation. with the land gen
! erallT. Is 10 hep and make easy the path
] Of the home builder. she small ranchmar
3 be exploited and skiuned by those who hRvs
Z no permanent interest therein, and who d.
/ not build homes or remain actual resi-
J dents