The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-21
THE FdREST POLICY OF ROOSE.
Welt AND PINCHOT.
A Western Editor Win DOea Not Contem-
plate IL With Admiration mt JOY.


To THE EDITOR OF TIL SUN-Sir; In
commenting upon an editorial article In the
Rico Neps. republished in THR Sun, you
unquAlihedly indorse President Roosevelt's
forest policy, II you will permit me to state
some facts concerning the application OF that
policy / will try to convince you that you ought
at least to modify YOU endorsement II not
withdraw IL altogether.
My modest little paper does not assume
TO speak for the entire West. as you charge.
When 1t said the entire West 10 Justly indig-
nant at President Roosevelt's forest policy"
1t was not voicing an opinion but merely an
nouncing a piece OF news which was con-
irmed by a Washington despatch In the same
issue OF THB sun in which you editorially
took umbrage at 1t. The despatch forecasted
the Denver convention to consider the Presi-
dents public land policy. told Of a night con-
ference at the White House at which the
President was greatly worried over the oppo-
sition his land policy was meeting with in the
West. that he was sending two Cabinet ON
GERS and three bureau chiefs to Denver to
prevent condemn8tory resolutions, that dele
gates to the convention had been appointed
from every State west Of the Mississippi. and
named a number Of States In open opposition
to the Administrations public land policy.
The people Of the West are not opposed to
the principle Of forestation. as shown by
tAOi gubAiN oNNNi - ib' ~ ObAs "
posed to the illegal and oppressive features
of the forest policy now in operation.
Your editorial says that the logical ex-
tension OF the privilege OF free pasturRge
and free timber would give the people Of
Washin gton the right OF free pasturage for
cows In the White House lot and permit them
to chop down the trees on the Mall for fire.
wood" The reducfio dd dbsurdum is unworthy
Of The Sun. In this case it is reactive, for
under the forest regulations free pasturage Ia
given to a limited number OF cattle, and free
Use OF timber in limited quantities may be
had at the discretion OF the forest officer.
Because Congress gave free grants Of public
land to pioneer railroad companies In order to
develop Western regions 1t does not logically
follow that Congress may donate the White
House lot to a railroad company for a termi-
nal station. Or does it?
Did not THE Sun ommen President
Cleveland for compelling the big cattle com
panies to take down the fences with which
they had enclosed public grazing lands. in
order that the small cattle owners might share
In the free use of the ranEe?
To give concrete illustrations OF the Illegal.
unjust, oppressive and autocratio features
OF the Administration g forest policy let us
consider conditions in Colorado. where | am
more or less familiar with its application:
20 Stat, ioa5) giving him authority to deter
mine the boundaries OF forest reserves, the
President has withdrawn for forest purposes
one-fourtho Of the entire arel This state.
The act of Congress (June 4. 1897, 80. Stat:
s4-sel which provides for administration OF
or intent OF these provisions or Of the act
providing for such reservations to authorize
The inclusion therein of lands more valuable
for mineral therein or for Agricultural pur-
In total disregard Of this act the Admins
principal mineral districts Of this State:
teadville, Cripple Creek, Telluride, Rico.
silverton, ouray and others. less known.
mines OF the Rocky Mountain region. SEQ
tions OF agricultural lands In which were large
private irrigating enterprises were also In
TO show the hasty and unconsidered action
in defining forest reserve boundaries IL is only
Presidential p~roclamations that have since
been issued withdraw wing large tracts from the
reserves after general protest had been made
by the settlers thereon.
That the inclusion of vast tracts Of agri-
cultural land IN forest reserves prevents I'm
migration and settlement is obvious. TO say
nothing OF the violation of the expressed word
OF Congress excluding such lands;
yeioped mineral districts in a forest reserve
ia q detriment to their further development
and almost a prohibiti3n 81 prospecting for
Rules and Regulations. Prospecting
and mining require timber. Many claims
contain little or r. no rs tim iimbsr The Fl su light 3 to
Is wholly at the discretion OF the forest oficer,
he is limited in the amount for which he
may issue a. permit to $40 worth, q, year.
Moreo yer, he il made the sole Judge OF whether
or not there is a sufficient sho wing OF mineral
TO Justify the location of a claim. Without
despite the fact that the largest pro-
ducing mines iq many sections, and in this
wing Of mineral. The hardship falls
upon the prospeCtor and individual miner,
are always poor men and the result OF
industry and the permanent wealth OF the
nation.
possible for favoritism and graft. The duties
Of a forest officer with respect to mining alone
most accomplished mining engineer. because
no man can say whether or not a prospect
S1ne eH a fo qeyel 4an taIo c a min do it, IT, t be S9@ia 9 &c
be a ranger one must possess a versatility far
even the power OF talent or genius
to acquire.
/ quote from the Use Book" containing
The rules and regulations OF the Forest Ser
vice. a conIpe9dium Of Law; judicial deei-
regulations, draughting, surveying. canal
cattle raising. agriculture, fencing.
varied and useful information without
no American home in the vicinity Of
a forest reserve l. complete: TIC be el!gi-
must, be first OF all thoroughly sound and
q BILE bodied. capable OF enduring ,hardships
conditions. No one may be expected TO pass
the eXa animation who is not already able to
care OF himself and his horses in regions
from settlement and supplies. He
must be able 10 build trails and abins. shoot.
ride, pack, and deal t~actfully with all classes
Of people. He must know something of land
surveying, estimating and scaling timber.
land laws, mining and live stock
The ranger Is also supposed 10 know how
10 make maps, manage q boat. fight fires.
and to be familiar with industrial conditions
N his district"
only a subordinate, TO the chief foresterl
What must Pinchot be?
You must get a copy OF the Use Book"
and read II. | thought at first lit was by
Mark Twain. but only one man could have
that book. and that man is Pin
shot, Chief Lord. Of the Forests and admit
eddy (see President Roosevelt's address 10
he National Editorial Association) the au-
Ihor Of the Admin tra tons forest policy.
In general, I submit that the sale Of grass,
hay, wood and timber lie no part OF the func-
ion OF Government, that the timber in forest
reserves available for mining and domestic
purposes is at an altitude too low to conserve
he water supply; that the timber which
would conserve the water supply, IL the theory
we're true, is inaccessible and would not be
,ut for any purpose: that the water supply
"a chiefly conserved In the treeless parks,
tides OF gulches and other bare spots where
he snowfall IL heaviest and where IL drifts
md packs; that most OF the territory en-