New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-25
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
FAVORS STORAGE PLAN.
Viegcs of a Resident of the Adiron-
dacks.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: l desire that the people of state should
be correctly informed regarding the principle IN
volved and the merits of the legislation sought in
the interest of water storage reservoirs in the Adj
rondack forests
The writer Of this has for fifty years had init
mate knowledge of the region embraced in the
Adirondack State Park; his judgment IS the growth
Of experience and observation and is not simply
theoretical. is the fact with most of those who
oppose the measure-for example, the members of
various sporting clubs and the New York Board of
Trade and Transportation, most of whom have no
pecuniary interests in the forests.
! cannot conceive of stronger more vital in
taress for the preservation of the forests of the
Aulrondacis than those of private owners who wish
u conserve the timber adjunct to and upon
which their business investments dopeTd for future
success. Private owners have not denuded, are
they denuding, the forests. While townships which
have been numbered have now good crop of tim
Der, and city would not miss the trees taken.
Private owners have in recent years learned that
the value of their holdings is enhanced and made
more certain by adopting and following present
forestry methods In cutting aud removing timber,
that future growth and succeeding crops may be
secured 1t Is true that these owners together with
practical and informed members of the State Fer
est Commission, approve of the principle involved
In the project for system of storage
Voirs within the Adirondack State Park.
1t is fact that the strongest argument for estab-
4ISiilHs lle STATE park IN the AdlrDndaCkS was 70
insure the perpetuity of the forests in the region
covering the sources of the principal rivers the
state; that these forests. which include the highest
elevations of the state interspersed with ponds and
lakes, messy dells and marshes, should be pre-
served perpetual storehouses Of reserve moisture
which the ages of formation of vegetable mould ard
the messy covering OF large absorbed as
sponge and gradually supplied TO the springs. rvu-
let's and brooks, thence TO the rivers, enabling
more uniform flow for the benefit of territory
through II no
Precisely this principle applies with even stronger
force TO the retention in storage reservoirs of the
immense volumes Of water which in the spring,
and frequently at other seasons. runs unchecked
to the st. Lawrence or to the ocean, the untold
hydraulic energy unused the sanitary value wasted
often causing destruction In its passage, whereas
If any large per cent Of this surplus water i'm
pounded within the forest and utilized in periods
OF low water to equalze the flow Of the streams,
while by constant evaporation moisture Is supplied
to the forests, and by percolation the springs and
rivulets supplied. and vegetable growth sus-
taned-not only would this be the practical result
of storage reservoirs, but they would of necessity
add factor TO the protection from forest fires
which become greater hazard every year from
the increased number of inexperienced and thought
less visitors who roam and camp at Will. ,
1t is within the powers, and may become the
hydraulic power derived from the now Of the sur
plus or impounded water and derive revenue
Again. il incidentally private water powers are
public and the state at large shall receive the
greater benefit as is ever true OF any public inn
prOvemert.
The policy Of the state with reference 70 the
State Forest Preserve has become fixed. From
year TO year the state will acquire increased
b. purchase OF private owners holdings, and for
the opponents Of this measure to state that Il Is
solely in the interests Of private owners when the
State Of New York now owns about million ana
three quarters Of acres Of the Adirondack forest Is
directly contrary to the Facts.
The time has passed when private interests will
absorb large areas OF the Adirondack forests The
state is the only present p.rchaser- The advocaGy
strictly stale measure in the interest or ana
FOR the beneht OF the state NJ large. Ihe demon
the Hudson River IN eGuaIizing 10 some tNtelt Ilg
dow Of the Hudson. and 81 thc state reservoir on
proved the practical fifty and benefits which may
be derived from the construction OF q series oil
That is all there Is Of it. It does not mean. nor
It cause the derudiug OF the forests, as II Is
per cent Of the la:d owned by both the state ana
private owners. or pr cent Of the land owned by
tho would be flooded and that mainly low or
vate or corporate owners Of Adirondack lands can
have no part In tho location. construction or oper
alton Of the reservoirs; tho entire work as 10 He
STABILITY, location engineer work. construction,
and management, IL placed IN the state :
charge and control. willie the cost ~ 10 he assessed
upon the appraised benefits municipalities and
owners Of hydraulic powers In proportion as they
are benefited.
Thus private owners or corporate interests have
no voice under the law to decide as 10 the con-
struction or location OF water storage reservoir
OF it's SUBSEQUENT management, Yet nave TO pay
the bills in proportion benefited, may he
determined by government officials.
think this statement fully rcfutes tho claims Of
the New York Board e Trade and Transportation
that the desired Hesitation and constitutional
solely benefit private interests land and timber
thieves and corporate trusts. They have nothing
opposition to a measure designed for the perma-
nent benefit Of the citizens o. ne Sn1lre State
Potsdam Feb. Il, 1907