Arizona republican., 1903-03-16
The Presidents Policy as to Forest
Reserves.


An authoritative declaration OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt's policy as to the forest
reserves has been made by the new
commissioner of the general land office,
Governor Richards. 1t has been said
that Commissioner Richards is the
special representative of the president
in all matters pertaining to lands, irri-
cation and forestry, and the people OF
the west will be especially interested IN
knowing what the future policy of the
administration is to be in relation to the
establishment and control Of forest res
ervations.
1.-THE presidents purpose and desire
are to protect and preserve the remains
ing forests upon public lands from the
devastation and destruction which have
been the fate of those in large portions
of the Appalachian Mountains, and in
other forest sections of the country said
the commissioner few days ago. In
doing this supply of timber will be
preserved for future needs and natu-
raltsources of wafer supply will be so
protected as to prevent flooding of the
the melting of the SHOWS, to insure wa
ter for irrigation and other purposes
during our dry season. The estab Lisia-
nent and proper maintenance of forest
reserves are, indispensable to any exten-
.sive reclamation or cultivation of lands
in the arid region under the recent act
Of congress, which appropriates for that
purpose the proceeds Of the sales of
public lands. 1t is and has been the
presidents consistent policy to encour-
age the actual settlement of the coun-
try by home builders in every way, to
see that actual settlers within the for
est reserves are accorded every reas-
enable protection, and that those liv-
ing within the vicinity of these re-
serves, who are dependent upon the re-
serves for grazing areas for cattle and
horses and for necessary timber for
building and fuel, are accorded access
to the reserves for these purposes un-
der such reasonable restrictions as win
prevent waste and destruction.
1t has been so conclusively demon
strated that uncontrolled sheep graz
ing within forest reserves is injurious
to the forest growth and to the natural
water cover that the great migratory
fiocks Of sheep are necessarily kept out
of the reserves but even this policy ia
pursued with cautious attention to thu
prevention of injury to 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 reserves, is au-
thorlZed- by an act of congress, which
directs that those employed in the for
estry service shall in all practical BILE
ways aid in the enforcement of the
game and fish laws of the state or ter
ritory in which the forest reserve is To-
Gated. The law of the state or territory
upon this subject is to be the sole guide
of these officers. The United States
has interposed no law of its own, and
the administration has given no direc-
tions to its forestry officers other than
that the local laws, whatever they may
be-, shall be enforced. In some of the
western states and territories, notably
Wyoming, the government. forest
rangers are by the laws of the stare
made assistant game wardens of the
state.
1.-THE work of establishing and main
tanning forest reserves will have such Il
vast and beneficial Influence in the
settlement and development of the
western states and territories that I.
must be controlled by a fixed policy. II
which matters of minor or temporary
concern must give way for the general
and permanent public good.
The one guiding purpose of the ad-
ministration in dealing with forestry,
with pasturage, with irrigation, with
the land generally, is to help the small
ranchman or tiller of the soil. and not
to let the land be exploited and skinned
by those who have no permanent inter
est therein, and who 60 not build homes
or remain as actual residents