The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-27
itlilzat .on r. ilSnl,. M artls "a.

utilization Of water power and artlfi.f
ISL storage HI shows that mo mat!
Ter what The purpose or design, any
system developed IN the
Anpalachians Is foredoonieaj
to failure unless the Watersheds which
feed It are kept under forest. il the
forest Is removed. vast aecuniulatlpns,
Of SIT and gravel Will be carried down
70 the reservoirs and render them.
sgorthless. Moreover, the floods IN
many Of the streams are due to the ex-
ent to which the fores, has been cut
way or burnt and Il the reckless cut.
ing and carelessness with regard to
Ire continues, most OF the great wa.
empower. now available will be los...
The Appalachian Mountains are also
important to navigation, since all, the
water gathered by them flows to the
Yea in nayigable rivers. The forest is
he one natural factor which tends to
'aaalize the flow OF streams. and WITH
the forest supplemented by system
4 reservoirs the depth OF many
treams could be materially Increased;
With 50 per cent. OF the Monnngnhela
water subject to storage. the tlaol
laniage at pittsburg and Wheeling
Would be almost eliminated. with thu
minimum stage OF the Ohio at Wheel.
ing Increased by 3 feet. the coveted
itage between Pittsbnrg and Cincin:
natl would all but be secured. AS the
Export points out, however. this will
never be accomplished unless steps
ere taken TO preserve the forest cover
II The watersheds and so prevent the
Hing up OF both reservoirs or streams
With sand and silt washed from the
mountain sides.
The report shows graphically the
condition of the two regions today. the
'lopes stripped Of their forest cover,
he resulting erosion OF the soil, the
LANCER TO agricultural lands and wa.
erways, and the total destruction OF
Genie beauty. n large asset IN many
'ections. Although only very small
lortion Of the 75,OOOOoO acres OF for.
}st lands recommended for acGulsi.
Ion by the government, the report
suggests plan Whereby with the aid
If the several States and the co-orert,
ion Of private owners proper manage.
ucnt Of most of the forest land might
Ne secured. The creation Of, National
Forests, as is pointed out, will not in.
'erferc with local Industries. but rath.
ar 1t Will aid them. Government pro.
'ectfon of the forests wouii sofvo the
lrc problem Of the region. 1t would
rot hinder mining and prospecting.
tnd to farming and fruit growing it
would give a material stimulus. since
protection OF the higher mountain
'lopcs would greatly increase the safe.
y Of these industries in the valleys
rclow. Nor would National Forests In.
arfere in the slightest degree with
'etilers who own and cultivate small
arms along the mountain streams. nor
would 1t stop the use of the mountains
or grazing. The many other uses OF
lie mountains would be f,lrthered rath
'r than hindered. and 10 per cent. o!
II revenues which the government re-
eiYed from forests would be given
% the counties in which the forests
were. The great industries, such q
the furniture. co.operage, wagon, etc.
which depend upon supply Of hard
woods. would be benefited incalcula
bly,, and the vast capital which dc
pends upon water power would BE-
made secure. 3
Taken as n whole. the report marks
I distinct step forward by outlining
! definite programme for preserving
for continuous use one OF the Nations
Greatest resources.