The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-07

range of undertakings has been pos
sible under it. At the same time, econ
omy is guaranteed by the fact that the
funds must ultimately be returned to
be used over again.
Forests.
1t is the cardinal principle Of the
forest-reserve policy of this admins
tration that the reserves are for use.
Whatever interferes with the use of
their resources is to be avoided by
every possible means. But these re-
sources must be used in such Il Wa
ri to make them permanent.
The forest policy of the government
is just now a subject of vivid public
interest throughout the West and TO
the people Of the United States in
general. The forest reserves them
selves are of extreme value to the pres
est as we'll as to the future welfare
Of all the Western public-land States.
They powerfully affect the use and dis
posal of the public lands. They are
of special Importance because they
preserve the water supply and the
supply of timber for domestic purpos-
kes, and so promote settlement under
| the reclamation act. Indeed. they are
essential to the welfare of every one
of the great interests of the West
The forest-reserve-p policy can be
successful only when ii has the full
support of the neople OF the West.
1t cannot safely, and should not in any
case. be imposed upon them against
their will. But neither can we accepr
the views of those whose only interest
in the forest is temporary; who are
| anxious to reap what they have NOT
sown and then move away, leaving
| desolation behind them. On the con-'
/ trary, it is everywhere and always
| the interest of the permanent settler
man with stalk in the country. which
must be considered and which must
decide.
/ Public Lands.
I call the attention of the Congress
again to the report and recommends
ton of the Commission on the Pub
/ lie Lands forwarded by me to the sec-
! ond session of the present Congress.
/ The Commission has prosecuted its
| Investigations actively during the past
| season. and a second report is now in
/ an advanced stage of preparation.
Game Preserves.
| In connection with the work of the
forest reserves / desire again to urge
upon the Congress the Importance or
authorizing the President to set aside
certain portions of these reserves or
other public lands as game refugees
LOT TIC PRESERVATION Ol the DlSOn. tue
wapiti, and other large beasts once
so abundant in our woods and noun
tains and on our great plains. and now
tending toward extinction. Every sup
port should be given to the authorI-
ties of the Yellowstone Park in their
successful efforts at preserving the
large creatures therein; and at very
little expense portions of the public
domain in other regions which are
wholly unsuited to agricultural set
tlement could be similarly utilized. We
owe it to future generations to keep
alive the noble and beautiful creatures
which by their presence add such dis
tinctive character to the American
wilderness. The limits of the Yellow
stone Park should be extended south
wards. The Canyon of the Colorado
should be made national park; ana
the national park system should in
clude the Yosemite and as many as
possible Of the groves of giant trees in
California.
Pensions
The veterans of the Civil War have
claim upon the nation such as no
Continued on Page Fiye.)