New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-07
FOREST PRESERVE.

The purchase Of land in the Adirondacks and
Catskills by the State was discontinued Two
years ago, because of the belief that some COM
prehensiVe plan should be formulated for the
continued requirement of property and for
avoiding the constant increased price OF land
which followed each appropriation n commit
tee appointed in accordance with the recon-
mendaton made in my last annual message mas
investigated this subject and viii Doubtless re-
port some method Of arriving at the desired re-
suits. It would seem TO me- i'll every prf-
vate camp. since it is the object Of the State to
protect the water supply, that at least the TIM
Der rights should be secured either through pur-
chase or condemnation. and that all other lands
should be acquired in full. There are in private
preserves 705.914 acres and in other holdings
]. 356 SIC acres. Much of this land has been
numbered over Much has been burned and de-
stroyed. In both cases replantnS and protec-
ton should begin at once The numerous forest
fires, causing great destruction, call for greater
vigilance upon the part OF the STATE. restrictive
laws and additional means for properly patrol
ling those points where danger exists should be
provided The many disputes with consequent
litigation to ownership, il seems to me call
for comprehensive plan to prevent the acquire
ment Of lands by people who rely upon vague
titles for possession. 1t is of the greatest i'm
portance that the State should eventually own
every acre OF land within the preserve. Some
action therefore should be Immediately taken TO
acquire quasi possession at least and thus pre-
vent speculation in that which it is the policy OF
the State to own. The recent fires have left
dangerous debris which hould be removed. To
sell 1t is beyond the power of the State, but to
clear up burned over tracts is necessary Tor re-
planting IF a constitutional amendment Is re-
quired accomplish this end. it should he
un 1ertaken at once.
For the purpose of aiding the townships OF
which the Forest Preserve forms part. the
State has generously consented to an assessment
of its land for all tax purposes. This Is an eX-
ception to the general rule in regard to state
property. except such is permitted to be
assessed for local purposes by special acts of
the legislature. There seems TO be, however,
statute which adequately protects the States
interests in this respect I would suggest an
amendment to the law to govern this particular
class of State property which would provide in
effect that the assessment upon such property
should be made conformity with the State Board
OF Tax Commissioners The State owns in many
instances from CD TO so per cent Of the town.
ships and it is proper that before large increases
in valuation which have followed recent assess
ments confirmed method should be
devised by the legislature 10 protect the States
interests and avoid large bonded debts which
to be liouidat ted almost entirely by the state
1t would seem more than proper that the
States consent. through the Controller, should
be first obtained before bonded debt could be
authorized. 1t is peculiar situation which ex-
fists and IL requires different treatment than in
almost any other locality in the State.