The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-11-28
RECOMMENDS PASSAGE OF BILL
TO THROW OPEN FOR SETTLE
MENT FOREST RESERVES.
-. Eavors Transfer of Administration
From Interior Department to
Bureau of Forestry.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 20.

WASHINGTON, ID. e., NOV 20
THE work of this office connected
with the extension Of forest reserve
area and the adjustment of boundaries
of existing reserves has now reached
q stape where most careful delibera-
ton is demanded, the most urgent neeo
for establishing such reserves having
been met" This is the manner In
which Commissioner Richards or the
general land office takes up the Tor
est reserve question in his annual re-
port, Just published. He continues:
Both the importance of the objects
to be accomplished by the reserves and
the many local interests to be consid-
cred necessitate great care in proceed
ing further in this direction. The gov
eminent can well afford, at this Junct-
ure, to delay action in establishing
additional reserves until the force OF
forest experts now engaged upon the
work can, by practical field examln-
atoms and the necessary scientific re-
search. establish beyond reasonable
doubt in what localities and to what
extent further areas should be set
apart for this purpose.
1.-The delay in determining what fur
Their reserves will be ultimately pro-
claimed has necessitated holding eX-
tensive areas temporarily withdrawn,
in order to prevent speculative apprO-
, priation of the lands in advance Of the
creation of the reserves. AS rapidly as
the reserves are finally established
these Withdrawals are revoked as re-
CARDS all lands not included therein
From June 80, 1903, to October 1, 1904,
public domain and thrown open to
settlement and entry. All lands Of this
ment as soon as restored to the pub
lie domain, but are not open to entry
effect has been published for sixty
days."
Legislation Recommended.
Commissioner Richards urgently
recommends the passage of a bill now
pending before congress, throwing
open to agricultural entry all lands
within forest reserves that are of such
character as can be farmed. He thinks
such law would tend to put to good
use lands that now go to waste.
Another bill now pending, authOriz-
ing forest officers to make arrests, for
violation of the laws and regulations
relating to forest reserves, is also re-
commended for passage. The absence
of such authority has had a tendency
to handicap the very men entrusted
with the care of great reserves.
The commissioner renews his recon-
mendation that congress enact ade-
Quate legislation which will tend to
harmonic state legislation upon the
subject of protection of game and fish
within forest reserves, without Great
ing a divided jurisdiction over such re-
serves, and which would not encroach
upon the rights of the states to con-
troll the game and fish within their re-
spective boundaries.
- SawmiIIs In Reserves.
A considerable number of permits
have been issued to persons of un-
doubted character and responsibility.
authorizing them to install and operate
saw-mills within forest reserves where
conditions seemed to warrant The re-
suits have justified such action. says
the commissioner. So far as known.
not one case has resulted unfortunate
ly, but on the contrary, the practice
of locating such mill near the cutting
area in sale cases has tended to pro-
mote more economical use of the
eiiipCl, DCtlcI faculties IOr SUPPLYING
the products to the consumer and a
more satisfactory understanding with
all concerned. 1t is said further that
this practice has resulted in more care
full methods in the management and
control of. fires, and has furnished a
corps of trained assistants in cases
where fires have attained proportions
beyond the control of the forest off,
GERS
The government last year realized
Ses,436 from the sale of timber within
forest reserves, and has applications
on hand for large additional quantities
The timber sought and sold has been
largely dead, or infected with insects
making its early destruction certain.
Both classes of timber are undesirable
In the reserves, and the government
IS glad to sell it, even at low prices.
People are rapidly coming to nm.
derStand the free ,,So ,,or,,,;+ .