New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-06
DEFIES LUMBER TRUST
PRESIDENTS QUICK ACT.
Fight Expected in Nert Congress
OUcr Increase of Reserves.
iron The Tribune Bureau.l

washington, March b.-The President, by add
,nr 100000 acres TO the forest reserves Just
On the eve OF the final enactment OF law which
derived him Of the power, has thrown down the
zsurtlet TO q gigantic trust and insured a battle
!, The next Congress which. in the estimation
- leading men in Congress- is likely 20 shake
n its foundations the entire forest reserve
nolicy OF the government.
The determined and desperate fight IN the
senate. which was led by Senators Hepburn
and Fulton IN the session just closed, Is too re-
cent 10 have been forgotten, and It was as
result Of their efforts that the Fulton amend
ment was added TO the Agricultural Appropria-
ZION bill The effect Of that amendment was to
prohibit the extension Of forest reserves in the
six states OF Washington. Montana. Oregon.
Wyoming. Idaho and Colorado except by act
Of Congress. Within the limits of these states
are 100000 acres OF forest land, either more
OF less heavily timbered now, or useless for
agriculture. and suitab only for reforestation.
This area had been withdrawn from entry II
wRs the purpose of the administration 10 pursue
the customary policy in creating forest reserves
and So soon preliminary survey of the
withdrawn area had been completed TO proclaim
the boundaries OF forest reserves. Some Of this
area had been withdrawn as long ago as 1905
and other parts down 10 within a few months
Most Of the land is well timbered and the pros
pect that It would be removed forever from
their grasp drove the members OF the lumber
trust" almost 10 desperation
SERVICE SAVED FOR A TIME.
Had the Western Senators had their way the
whole service would have been crippled by the
elimination Of the appropriation necessary for
It's creditable administration. but Senator
spooner led the aght in support OF the admin
istration. and Senator Depew introduced an
amendment appropriating S1.OOOOOO for ad-
mnstration and improvements and the
day was Temporarily saved. although it became
necessary TO accept the Fulton amendment TO
end the hlibuster on the Appropriation bill.
When that amendment was adopted it was sup
posed that the President had been circumvented
that the lumber trust would be able to acquire
the 100000 acres which it coveted.
But once more President Roosevelt has proved
too resourceful for the corporate interests. Just
before signing the Agricultural Appropriation
bin containing the Fulton amendment the
President signed the proclamation making forest
reserves out of the 100000 acres which had
been previously withdrawn from entry. Thus
far the President is triumphant but those who
to-day witnessed the weeping and crashing Of
teeth and listened TO the suphurous declama-
ton OF those whose purpose was defeated by
the Presidents alacrity appreciate what ter
rife onslaught VIII be made next year. when
the administration IS obliged 10 ask for further
funds for the continuance Of the forest reserve
policy.
SAYS ACTION HELPS TRUST
The men who have sought to defeat the ad-
ministration's policy now declare that the Pres
1dent has created these reserves merely TO en-
nance the monopoly Of the lumber trust. or
least. that such VIII be the effect OF the Pres
fdentfal order. The reasoning by which this
proposition Is arrived at Is interesting The
Western Senators who would smite the forest
reserve policy hip and thigh declare that at
present the lumber trust controls every source
OF lumber supply save that IN the forest reserves
and that the government. by creating these re-
serves is deprtving the consumer of the whole
remaining source OF supply, thus leaving him
al the mercy OF the trust. To remedy this
assumed condition they would Immediately
turn the sole remaining source OF lumber supply
over 10 the trust by throwing the reserves
open 10 entry under the Stone and Timber act
which the President has labored vainly 10 have
repealed.
Incidentally, the government IN its forest re-
serve policy does not shut of the supply OF
lumber and # does do everything possible for
the small settler and consumer. giving him
many advantages over the buyers for the trusts
governments administration OF the forests To
the settler who seeks 70 improve his farm, the
forest service gives absolutely free 10000 feet
OF lumber each year. and sells him anything he
may need IN excess OF that amount at SO a
1000 feet. although he seldom has for
more To the settler the forest service gives
special privileges IA the grazing OF his stock
within the reserves, and IN every way possible
the home builder and settler Is favored. The
matured timber cut in the forest reserves is sold
AZ auction, but TO the chagrin Of the trust, the
government persists IN selling il in small lots.
on which the little fellows bid, and so there
were last year one hundred small sales 10 every
large one. OF course. this policy Of favoring
the small purchaser and the settler is most
annoying 20 the trust, and hence its represen-
tRfives in Washington are determined 10 spike
the guns OF the forest service"
RESERVES AND SETTLERS
The only argument advanced against the for
est policy which is worthy OF consideration is
the allegation that were the reserves open to
settlement II would result IN the advent OF set
tiers and the building up OF the states in which
they are located, and the only flaw in this ar
guTnent is that II is untrue. Every 100 acres
IN forest reserve, as well out Of II. which
is suitable for agriculture IS open 10 entry under
the Homestead law. and the policy OF the forest
service IS 10 reserve no land suitable for agri-
culture, IN so far that can be avoided. The
fact IS that were the lands now held in the for
est reserves opened 10 entry they would and
could be acquired only under the Stone and