Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-24
SAVE CALIFORNIA FORESTS
IS APPEAL TO CALlF0RNlANS
special to The Herald.

Special to The Herald.
SACRAMENTO, Feb. 23.-[Editor
Herald: have information that leads
me to believe that the present state
forestry law is in grave danger in this
legislature. Such of the forests of
California as have not already been
devastated have fallen, or are falling,
into the hands of great eastern lum-
bering corporations, into the same
hands that have laid waste the for
ests Of Maine, Michigan and Minne-
sofa, and they will have as little re-
gard for the future of California as
they have had for that of the states
mentioned. They will go into our un-
rivaled Sierra pineries, fell its giants,
leave the slashings where they fall
to be dried into tinder, then permit
the flames to sweep through the area.
turning 1t into a furnace Of hell and,
passing on, allow tangled chaparral to
spring up about the charred trunks
that still stand, and call that develop
ing country"
The present forestry law could not
have been enacted without executive
influence exerted on it's behalf That
law cannot now BE- amended, as ex-
perience has shown the need of 1t,
without executive influence coming to
it's aid. California is being invaded
by as merciless a band of barbarians
as ever ravaged an empire. They are
rich, they are ravenous, they are or
ganized, and IL the people leave the
legislature to itself 1t will be DOM
mated by this influence. Governor Par
dee was far-sighted enough to see the
impending calamity and had moral
courage enough to do his part In ward
ing 1t off.
1t is inconceivable that Governor
Gillett, woodsman that he is, can be
less so, and yet the people can afford
to take no chances even o.. him.
Every one who reads this paragraph
should turn at once to his desk and
write letter to the governor adjuring
him to permit he Legislature to take
no backward step in this concern so
| vital to California. Then write to each
of his representatives in the legislature
and tell them plainly that their vote
on this issue will be regarded at home
as a test vote. 1t will tell whether
they are for the people or for the
| corporations.
| The bill in question Is assembly bill
106. It's purpose is to maintain a state
board of forestry, with the governor at
| It's head, which board shall organize
the forestry forces for protection
against fire, cooperate with the coun-
| ties to the same end, cooperate and
| INSTRUCT III lOCdl lOICSI
work distribute forestry laws and bull
letins for purposes of public forestry
education, make arrests and prosecute
those guilty Of violating fire protec-
ton laws and, where the state board
decides 1t to be necessar.' to public
safety, enforce the burning Of slash
ings when they can be burned with
out danger in order that they may not.
when thoroughly dried, get on fire in
the height of the dry season to spread
desolation in all directions. Surely
these are reasonable regulations and II
would seem that no man e.nd no in
terest, not gangrened with greed, could
find occasion for offense in them.
I If the people of California are not
dead to the world they will at once
for the issue Is question of days
make the legislature and the executive
office know the force of public opinion.
Two cents in money, five minutes IN
| time, 10000 citizens speaking their
thoughts, and the forests of California
will be conserved. Otherwise Califor~
MIA will go backward and the ruth
lessness of ravage will go forward.
The purpose of state forestry policy
is to make those into whose hands
this splendid wealth of woods has
fallen so use that wealth so as not to
injure other interests, and to so use 1t
as to leave a rehabilitated forest for
the enjoyment of our children's chill
dren. In Gods name, Is not that sound
doctrine? A. ]. +.