The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-10-07

az STBJECT OF FOREST RESERVE

TacOma.-The following statement
,iepIoring any but the most judicious
extension Of the forest reserves was
made by Senator Foster at a meet
ing held in the Tacoma Chamber of
Commerce to consider the question Of
forest reserves in the state Of Wash
ington. Clifford PinchOt was a list
aner. and represented the forestry bu-
reau of the agricultural department
and delegations were in attendance
from nearly every county in western
Washington:
Before further forest reserves are
fayorably c0nsireded in the state Of
Washington. | think 1t would be we'll
for the government TO take up and in
a practical way act upon the question
of reclaiming logged off timber areas.
"A great and important question is
involved in the subject of forest pres
ervaton, which includes. in some
parts Of the country, more particular
~ than in western Washington the
other ana also important question of
irrigation
with S,000.090 acres already in our
forest reserves in this state. | feel
that it is the part of wisdom and prll
tience to so slow in taking any fur
thcr areas. Under the present admin
I,.A ,r
ton, an addition of 5000 900 acres IS
contemplated TO our already large area
and it seems 20 me that before We
consider seriously the increasing of
our reserves. we should consider much
more seriously the question of de-
creasng them by the elimination Of
fOothill an agricultural lands which
have been improperly and with great
injustice to our state. thrown under
the forest reserve blanket
81 do not object 10 the forest re-
serve policy or the proper and judi
ciOus preservation of our forests nor
rhe important problems OF re-fOresta-
ton; but | certainly do object 10 in
iuring the chief industry OF the state
Ui Washington by an indiscriminate
and an unwise and improper extern
sion Of the forest reserve areas over
valley ana fOothili lands, which,
when denuded of the harvest of tim
Der. can and will be turned into pros
Porous farming districts.
when the forest reserve blanket
was spread over the country indis-
CIiminately it is a fact that many
large communities were included.
From time 10 time this injustice has
hocn rightej. and in all fairness it
must be stated that the present poll
Cy Of the government is to eliminate
agricultural lands and lands which.
when the timber is removed. can be
considered AGRICULTURAL lands. and
places them outside the forest re-
serves. Heretofore the question has
been raised Is to the cost Of re
moving timber and clearing lands
which. when the timber is removed
are suitable for agricultural purposes
For 4 long time this peculiar idea
received recognition from those who
advocated the extension of the forest
reserves, and this. too. without con
sidoring the fact that the settler does
not figure his time Of great value
and that he slashes and burns at his
convenience without regard to the
number Of days or the number o.
hours required. 1t has been figured
theoretically that q settler MAJ ex
pend 5000 worth of time in cdearins
an acre OF land. which. when cleared
IS worth for agricultural purposes
not to exceed $50.
Settler Should Have Doubt.
Therefore. it has been argued tina
the lands are not agricultural. bu
mat they are more valuable for Tim
her. Now while this may be true. ant
while in many instances the timbe,
IS desired for commercial purposes
still the policy of the government ha:
ever been to encourage the settle,
and give him the benefit of ever,
doubt, and it should be the policy TO
day to aid those who go into OH,
forests and burn and carve out ;
nome for themselves and for 1hei
families.
The mere fact that a settler upo,
a quarter section of land that con
talns valuable crop Of timber, ex
poets 20 realize from the sale of thi
nmoer' should in no wise prejudic,
the government against the enterpris,
OF the settler. and the question of in
Guiding such lands inside a fores
reserve should come up for seriou
discussion and consideration onl,
when 1t involves the conservation an,
regulation of the wafer flow and ~,