New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-10
MESSAGE on FORESTRY.
Higgins against RemoUfng Dead
1fmbcy-Woald Exchange Land.
fry TELEGRAPH TO THE TR:BUNE.l


Albany March a-The proposed constitutional
amendment to authorize the removal of dead
timber on burned areas OF the State forest re
serve IS vigorously opposed by Governor HIS
gins in a message sent 10 both branches or the
legislature to-day. While conceding that such
lands are benefited by cutting out such worth
less timber. the Governor says:
Experience has taught that IL preference IS
given 10 the removal OF burned or cow nm
her live timber may speedily become burned or
down timber.
He urges the enactment OF stricter laws
against trespassing on state forest lands, adding
fhat unless this is done the State should adopt
q policy OF scientific forestation, which will per-
NIT the removal under proper supervision OF
trees that have attained their growth Inc
message advocates the extension of the forest
reserve by selling lands outside its limits ana
purchasing with the proceeds other lands with
In. and suggests the submission TO the people
OF a constitutional amendment TO this effect
The message discusses the policy Of State
forest preservation as laid down by the constltu-
tional amendment OF 1894. showing that It DIFF
fers from the federal policy OF scientific util-
Estion. and giving as q reason the necessity oI
guarding the sources of water supply ana main
tanning the mountain wildernesses OF the Adj
rondaoks and the Catskills in their natural state
as A great pleasure park The message says IN
part:
The State now owns nearly 10000 acres of for
est land in Lhe preserve title 10 ABOUT go
acres Of which acquired through "a sitIes
constitutional convention Of 1924 proposed to the
people OF the State new rule TO regulate tns ioI d
provides that lands q the state now owned or
herea fer acquired. constituting The forest prSeIN
now fixed by law shall be forever Kept aS VIII
T5fs policy is at variance with the previous pol
fey Of The State. II absolutely prohibits on slate
lands The practice OF scientific torespE ~ = sac
opposed the ironclad provision that the forest
isnds'
me ful nearing Of the restriction against l-I re-
sized by the opinion Of Attorney General Hancock;
OF timber whether standing ieliea oy me axe OF
thrown down by the forces OF nsfuGe ana also
sg 5o, az o burned timber On State lands Moth
ing IS % he taken away and no trees are 70 De
The idea uppermost in the minds of the advocates
Of the constitutional provision above quoted was
The protection Of the sources OF water supply and
face Of tine ground The economic use OF the forest
cutting and reproduction has been sacrhced 10 It's
for water protection and pleasure.
ing to seciion Of ArIcie VII proviso that the
legislature may authorize the removal OF deed tim
her burned far necessary for re-
forestation. through officers and employees OF the
posing this amendment was adopted by the legis-
lature in 1904 and referred TO the present legfs-
1-ndoubtedly burned timber. If removed at all,
shoUd he removed Immediately after IRE, before
Il becoEnes worthless by decay, except for the pur
poseF@hf water protection. Experience has taught
however, that if preference is given TO the re-
moval Of burned down timber live timber may
speedily become burned down timber. IF by care
lessness or design forest fires more serious
injury IS done Than would result from any proper
method OF removing the fun grown trees. The
State should either preserve the present imperative
rule asainst The removal OF timber. and enforce ii
riEidlF by preventing trespaSses else adopt a
more liberal policy Of scientific forestatiOn Law
lessness and encouragement TO lewlessness should
he suppressed.
It is further proposed TO amend the forestry sec
uon OF the constitution by permitting the sale OF
lenos outside the limits Of the Adirondack Park and
the SatsHli Park and the purchase OF other lands
win the proceeds OF such sales. BY this process
about seventy-five thousand of little value
forest lands could be excluded from the preserve,
and the proceeds used purchase valua BILE forests
row within the limits Of the preserve