Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-02-24
Full Text Of the Law Relating to Set.
tiers to Timber From Forest
Reserve.
WORKS NO GREAT HARDSHIP
The Government Is Strict But the Pro-
visions are Sufficiently Liberal
for Settlers

serve, there have been many inquiries
as to the exact effect of the new rul-
ing on settlers living within and near
the newly created reserve. Some have
formed the erroneous idea that no
timber at all can be used from the
reserve. From the law, which is CIV
en- verbatim below, 1t may be seen
that no very great hardship is worked
upon those who are dependent upon
the timbers of the reserve for fuel,
mine timbers and other necessary pro-
ducts of the forest. The regulations
are very strict, but IL good faith Is ex-
ercised On the part of the person de-
string the timber, he a generally get
all that he desires. Following is the
law in full relating to the cutting of
timber from a reserve:
Department of the Interior, General
Land Office, Washington, ID. c., April
10. l9Ol.-Paragraph q of the rules
and regulations governing forest re.
serves. issued April 4, 1900, was
amended March 10, 1901, so as to read
as follows:
THE secretary of the interior may
permit. under regulations to be pre-
scribed by him. the use of timber and
stone found upon such reservations,
free of charge. by bona fide settlers,
miners, residents and prospectors for
minerals, for firewood, fencing, build
ings, mining, prospecting and other
domestic purposes, as may be needed
by such persons for such purposes;
such timber to be used within the
state or territory, respectively. where
such reservations may be located"
This provision is limited to persons
resident in the state or territory
where the forest reservation is locat-
ed, who have not a sufficient supply
of timber or stone on their own
claims or lands for the purposes enu-
merated, or for necessary use for de-
veloping the mineral or other natural
resource of the land owned or occu-
pied by them. Such persons are,
therefore, permitted TO take timber
and stone from public lands in the
forest reservations under the terms
of the law above quoted, strictly for
their individual use on their own
claims or lands owned or occupied by
them within the state Or territory
where such reservation is located. but
not for sale or disposal. or use on
other lands. or by other persons; pro.
vided. however, that the provisions
of this paragraph shall not apply to
companies or corporations. Before
any timber or stone car be taken
hereunder from the forest reserves.
the person entitled thereto must first
make application to the forest super
visor in charge OF the reservation. or
part of reservation, setting forth his
residence or postoffice address, des.
ignating the location. amount and val
nc of the timber or stone proposed to
be taken, the place where. and the
purpose for which the said timber or
stone shall be used. stating, in case
| NHt dDIllN dllOu 10 lol Nlllptl WIldN
sawmill or other agent, il any, will
be employed to do the cutting, remov.
ing and saving and pledging that no
more shall be cut from the reserva-
tion than he actually needs for bona
fde use on his W land or claim;
and that none shall be sold. disposed
of o used on any other than his
own land or claim. and guaranteeing
TO remove and safely dispose of all
tops, brush and refuse cutting beyond
danger of fire therefrom. Upon the
receipt of the application. the super
visor shall Immediately make investi-
cations of facts in the case and trans
NIT the application. with report and
recommendation, to the superintend-
ent in charge. If, in his judgment, the
application be meritorIous and no in.
from the removal of such timber or
stone, he will thereupon prove such
application. giving the party permits.
son to remove the timber or stone
under the supervision of a forest Off.
Ger; provides, that where the stump.
age value of the timber exceeds one
hundred dollars. permissiin must be
obtained from the department, and for
this purpose the superintendent In all
such cases, will submit the applica.
ton to the commissioner Of the gen.
eral land office with his recommends.
ton thereon. In case the application
be approved, the superintendent will
be notified and the cutting will be al.
lowed under the supervision, as In
cases where the amount involved is
less than one hundred dollars. Every
forest supervisor having charge and
supervision of the cutting of timber
under the foregoing regulations will
submit quarterly reports to the super
intendent in charge OF the reservation
who will promptly forward them tC
the commissioner Of the general LAND
Office for transmission TO the depart
ment. in order that the secretary o.
the interior may be advised of tn,
quantity of the timber cut and wheth
or the privilege granted is being abus
I'd. These reports shall show thu
names of the persons who have ap
piled during the quarter for permits
sion TO cut timber free OF charge. tn
kind of timber applied for. the guam
tity, the stumpage value OF the sam,
and the purpose for which the appli
cant desired to use it.
Signed: BlNGER HERMAN,
Commissioner.
Approved April 10, 1901.
[ r. A. HITCHCOCK. Secretary.
=. The Meat Combine.