The Glenwood post. (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) 1897-current, 1906-07-14
of the Reserves is Not for the
Benefit of the Government but of the peO-
pIe---Aim of Service is to Study for
Wider Development of Reserves
FOREST pR0BLtn OF VITAL IMPORTANCE To U.S.

trained men for conservative forest
management
In the meantime with the increas-
ing realization that the nations tim
Der supply must be protected, and with
the immense growth of irrigation in
rerests in the west, the necessity for
retaining permanent federal control
over selected forest areas was recog
nized by brief section inseIte in
the act of March 3. 1891. which
authorized the President TO establish
forest reserves. The first exercise of
this power was in the creation of the
Yellowstone Park Timber Land re-
serve, proclaimed by President Harri-
son March 30, 1891.
The mere creation of forest reserves.
however, without provision for their
administ1 was both Intellectual
and annoying to local interests de-
pendent upon their resources. Conse-
quently the secretary of the interior.
in 1896, requested the National Acad
envy of Sciences to recommend ma
tional forest policy. This resulted in
the passage of the act of June A, 1897,
under which, with several subsequent
amendments, forest reserves are now
administered.
On the theory that the management
of land, not of forests, was chiefly in
volved, this law gave the secretary of
the interior authority over the reserves
and provided that their surveying,
mapping, and general classification
should be done by the United States
Geological Survey and the executive
of administrative work by the general
and office.
But the technical and complex prob
lens arising from the necessary use
of forest and range soon demanded the
introduction of scientific methods and
Mechanically trained force, which
could not be provided under the ex
listing system. The advice and serv-
ices of the bureau of forestry were
found necessary. but. under the law,
could be but imperfectly utilized.
The necessity of consolidating the
various branches of government forest
work became apparent and was urged
upon congress by the president and
all the executive officers concerned.
Finally, the act of February 1. 1905,
transferred to the secretary of agri-
culture entire jurisdiction over the
forest reserves. except in matters of
surveying and passage Of title.
In the administration of the forest
reserves it must be clearly borne in
mind that all land is to be devoted to
its most productive use for the perma-
nent good of the whole people, and not
for the temporary benefit of individ-
uals or companies. All the resources
of forest reserves are for use, and this
use must be brought about in thor
oughly prompt and business like man
ner, under such restrictions only as
will insure the permanence of these
resources. The vital Importance of
forest reserves to the great industries
of the western states will be largely
increased in the near future by the
continued steady advance in settle
ment and development. The perma
nence of the resources of the reserves
is therefore Indispensable to continued
prosperity, and the policy of this de-
partment for their protection and use
will invariably be guided by this fact.
always bearing in mind that the con
sentative use of these resources in nc
way conflicts with their permanent
value.
1t will be seen to that the water,
wood, and forage OF the reserves are
conserved and wisely used for the
benefit of the. home builder first Of
all, upon whom depends the best
permanent use of lands and resources
alike. The continued prosperity Of
the agricultural, numbering. mining.
and live stock interests is directly de-
pendent upon permanent and acces-
sible supply Of water. wood. and for
age, as we'll as upon the present and
future use Of these resources under
business like regulations. enforced
with promptness, effectiveness. and
common sense. In the management
Y Of each reserve local questions will bs