The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-02-10
PLEASE ANSWER.

bitter in opposition to the forest re-
serve policy as exemplified in this
State. Before introducing force
full editorial which recently ap-
peared in the Lewiston paper, we
wish to make a statement and ask
a question, and we trust the ques-
ton will be fully answered by the
Tribune and other northern papers.
1t has been stated to the writer
that practically all of the northern
members Of the legislature are
strong supporters of the forest re.
serve policy as manifested in Idaho.
That story is being circulated in
Southern Idaho in proof that SEN
ator Hepburn has no support to
speak of in his own section of the
State. Is it true, or is it false?
Our northern friends should we'll
understand that the people of the
southern part are not affected as
they are. Down here the people
incline to forest reserves because
(frst) there are no forests worth
mentioning, and whatever timber
there is grows on steep mountain
sides impossible of cultivation;
and (second) the people are vitality
concerned in everything which
promises to conserve the water sup
ply. There is no timber industry
of consequence developing or to be
developed. Nearly all the timber
used is shipped from Oregon. If
Government wants to convert a
few scraggy trees and some bill
lions of tons of mountains into
forest reserves the people down
here have no objection. Indeed, it
doesn't concern them except as
they look with anxious eye into
the welfare of posterity of the sew
enth remove. Following is the
Lewiston Tribune editorial;
"It has been difficult to under
stand the support the forest reserve
policy has received in the west. and
why a press bureau could be main
tanned to furnish and get published
the sort of matter required in the
furtherance of the bureaus plans,
1t is not difficult to see how the
eastern faodists could hold the
views regarding the west they do,
provided they could get them en-
forced; but it has not been seen
where there was any pecuniary mo-
tive, since the policy was entirely
negative in its results, bene6tting
no one and putting stop to prog
ress in these sections whose terri.
tory is now covered with fores!
growth. A motive, however, tina,
probably accounts for the otherwise
unaccountable influences shaping
the forest reserve villainy may be
found in the sheep interests. As
the west has become populous AND
thrifty, and sheep country has beer
gradually narrowed, until the flock
masters were on the point of break
ing up their large bands and other
wise adapting themselves to the
changed conditions. The forest re
serve has suddenly come to theil
relief, and civilization been set bach
in order that sheep might have un
disturbed range. That is exactly
the result, whether that is the pur
pose or not, and consequently there
is no lack of influence to back uI
the policy and m;srepresent con
ditions in its interest. For thi:
reason it can now be seen why
there was an object in prosecuting
Senator Hepburn for attempting tt
prevent this debauchery of hi.
state, when otherwise even thos,
who differed with him must hav'
respected a conscientious purpos'
that led him to antagonism evei
with the president. With power
full influence like the sheepmen
who are all-powerful in soutl
Idaho, not even excepting tn
Mormons, it can be seen how diff
cult it will be to protect the state
and yet how much more impera
tive it is that the state be protect
II Tt se not ,naoot ~ ix,ti,,, a .