The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1905-01-10
The Timber Question


is the hardest problem the state has to
deal with. That mistakes have been
made in the handling of our timber in
the past, there is no question in the
minds of all those who are familiar
with this question. After giving this
subject some thought and learning
what is done by other states for the
protection of their timber, am of the
opinion that radical change should be
| made in the manner of disposing of our
| forests. 1t is said that our forests will
reproduce themselves as fast, if not
faster, than those of any other state
in the union. We should take advant-
age of this fortunate condition and
| throw such safeguards around our
timber lands as will perpetuate our
| forests for all time. Minnesota has
followed this idea in dealing with her
timber lands that belong to the schools,
and already three crops of timber have
been sold from the same lands, bring
| ing in millions of dollars to the school
| fund. Colorado also has a recent law
providing for the preservation of her
| forests from waste and from fires, and
providing a way to dispose of the tim
Der of proper age and reserving to the
state the remainder. l commend this
feature of the law of Colorado as wor-
thy of your consideration. In the pro-
| lection of our timber we also protect
the watersheds, which are Of such
| ,-tta 70
| be said on this important subject, but
have neither time nor space to say
more, I shall be glad to cooperate
with you in your deliberations on this
subject.
| 1 am reliably informed that some
of the lumber companies, or their sue
| cessors, who purchased large tracts of
| timber from the state three or four
years ago, under a contract to remove
it from the ground in twenty years.
will ask you to pass law at this
session giving them 20 years more time
for the removal. Of this timber. UP to
the present time very little or nothing
has been done to comply with the con-
tract. Careful investigation of this
question will disclose the fact that this
and that twenty years is ample time in
which to remove it. 1t is also said
that large part of the land on which
this timber stands, is among the. best
agricultural land in the northern part
of the state and will make splendid
&c Lob f.
Element. I know of no reason why this
extension should be granted. In my
judgment, any extension, or encourage
men. for an extension at any time in
the future, would be a crime against
the best interests of our state. If this
question is presented for your consid-
Grafton, am satisfied that after care
full investigation Of the matter you will
fully agree with me in this conclusion.
Horticulture
industries of our state and will, I am
sure, receive careful attention from
you. Idaho fruit products have already
made a record that we have a right
to be proud of, and, that this record
may be maintained, let us look we'll to
your attention to the report of DR..
Ustick, president of the horticulture
board. Much credit is due to the board
for their splendid efforts in the interest
of this great industry.
Mining
Next to agriculture, the mining in
dustry is the largest in our state,
bringing in revenue each year of
more than $21,0O0.000. In all legisIa-
ton affecting this industry would
advise care and caution in your DELHI
erations.
irrigation
This question in Southern Idaho
Overshad0ws all others. Every eftE.en
in this part Of our state is Interested
In a proper solution Of this problem.
In dealing with this subject you will do
We'll to carefully consider the report
Of the former state engineer, Mr.
Wayne Darlington. who is f,rst- class
engineer and a practical irrigatcr, OIL
wide experience, enabling him to make
valuable recommendations, found I'm his
report.
The irrigation. bill passed two years
ago seems to have given general salts
faction. yet Its practical application
has disclosed some points Of weakness
that will call for your careful consid-
eeration. Under the present law per-
hitting water to be appropriated for
power purposes. valuable power and
dam sites are tied up for a long tire.
Instances have come to my knowledge
where the same person has located
several such water rights thereby Sc
curing control Of the dam and power
sites, evidently for speculation purposes
and not for immediate development. ri
would recommend that the present law
be amended so that in the future. be-.
fore permits can be granted for divert
ing water for large power and irrfea.
ton plants, good and sufficient bond
be eXacted by the STA 70 for tho <o,..r,