The Teton peak. [volume] (St. Anthony, Idaho) 1899-1904, 1904-03-24

dHOIu 10 90 OtHeIWlSe. but tns
Government can, and this is the
reason every civilized country il
the world, including our own, ha.
adopted the forest reserve system
at sufficiently large and wei
distributed areas can be held a!
reserves, only the mature timber
cut, and the young growth protect
ed from fires, there is no reason
why numbering should not be {
permanent and profitable industry
Small mills, scattered over the
timber districts, will perpetuate
local prosperity, and the price OF
lumber to the resident will be low.
Without reserves the present ten
dency toward syndicate ownership
OF all commercial timber is apt to
result not only i'll wasteful use but
in the disappearance OF the small
mill and in high prices for lumber.
Almost if not quite as impor-
tant is the relation of forest reserves
to mining, which absolutely re-
qulres an immense amount of tim
Der and a sustained supply OF
water. In all cases profits depend
directly upon the cheapness of the
commodities. Without protection
from fire and from enterprising
lumbermen who may acquire all
the timber around them and ship
it out of the states, many impor-
tant mining camps are certain to be
in serious straits in a few years.
One OF the objects of forest
reserves is to preserve the timber
for its logical users. Reserves do
not make it more difficult for min
ers to secure timber, for prospectors
are allowed free use of all they
need and large concerns can pur-
chase as cheap or cheaper than from
private spectators. There is no
intention of working hardship on
legitimate industries, for the desire
is simply to secure the following
objects:
81. Maintenance of the area
intact under one management.
so. Establishment of fire pro-
lection.
80 Preservation of resources for
local use.
"a. Regulation, as far as prac-
ticable, of grazing and timber cut
ting of forest and range.
IS. Protection of young growth
SO as to insure future supply.
prospecting and locating of
claims are in no way inter-
ferred with by reserve regulations,
Tor the mining laws apply exactly
as on the public domain. Settlers
and others are allowed free all the
timber they use Reservoirs, roads,
stores and similar enterprises are
permitted upon application. Graz
ing by sheep and cattle is permit
ed with only such restrictions as
prove necessary to preserve the
'ange and protect settlers, or others
having rights of priority and equi-
y, from outside competition.
while it is true that many of
he earlier reserves were established
without investigation sufficient to
prevent the inclusion of some agri
land, this is impossible
lnder the present system. Now
he land is carefully examined and
mapped and the lines are drawn to
all considerable areas sus-
'eptable of settlement. Small agri-
cultural areas are provided for in
he legislation just recommended
oy the Public Land Commission.
This system removes one of the
strongest arguments which has
been made against reserves. A no
ess welcome change will be the
proposed new policy of reducing
control from Washington to min
mum and placing more authority
II the hands of local officers who
ire familiar with their state condi-
ions, and will thus be free to con-
luct the business promptly and
to the people, unharn-