Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-01

man, and merely brush is to be found
where anything grows.
Going up to Zealand lake, from the
bottom Of the valley to the mountain
summit. on the east side, one sees moth
ing but exposed rocks and stumps OF
trees perched on boulders. like skele-
tons dislnterred in a graveyard 1t Is
VALLEY of Death. On the west side,
which was claimed by lumbermen be-
fore the day of "clean cutting" fire has
taken what they left. 1t Is now the
abode OF blackened stumps.
The climax of destruction was found
in the region of landslides south OF
Zealand lake. Mr.. Will noted thirteen,
all of which, veteran guide assured
him, had occurred since the forest was
cut thereby depriving the soil OF the
support given by myriad live roots.
The wreckage left by big mountain
slides is equa1ed only by volcanic ac-
tion. At times, as Mr.. VIII pointed out,
they occur In wooden regions, but the
general rule is otherwise.
Cases of denudation mentioned are but
typical of what is taking place through
out the White Mountain region. The
American Forestry association has In Its
possession evidence concerning condi-
tions in extensive areas and will have
more before the next session of congress.
Secretary VIII is also preparing a state
ment of depressing conditions in the
appalachian range.
Plans Lectures
The secretary of the American For
estry association, DR.. Thomas Elmer
Will, is planning an extensive lecture
tour of the south in the interest of the
conservation of the Appalachian forests.
The tour will begin in September and
continue several weeks. Though but re-
Gently broached. much interest is already
developed in II. The Greenville, .. U,
Daily News, for August 16, publishes the
following:
Columbia. Aug. 15.--Governors Glenn of
North Carolina and Ansel of South Caro-
lima have other important sentiments ana
policies in common besides being tenn
perance advocates, among these a hearty
Endorsement of the scheme looking 10
the preservation of the forests OF the two
states. The plans of the American For
estry association, which will send man
TO this section to awaken interest In the
efforts to secure national aid by preach
ing the gospel of scientific forestry in the
principal cities and towns, will receive
hearty cooperation on the part OF the
| two governments.
| Governor Ansel today received the fol-
| lowing interesting letter from Albert
| l.. Scott, written from the Boston office
of Lockwood Greene & Co.. architects
and engineers for Industrial plants of
which Mr.. Scott is a member and which
| has done much work in the south.
Dear Governor Ansel: The question of
| the establishment of an Appalachian
| forest reserve is one which has been
close to my heart for a good while.
| believe that you as well as Governor
Glenn have also evidenced great sym
pathy with the plana
| Tho trouble has been heretofore In
getting national aid for this Appalach
| ian park that sufficient enthusiasm has
not been aroused in the southern states
| to make much impression at the ma
tional capitol. A campaign is now being
proposed, however, by the American
! Forestry association to arouse such in
| terest<~and Thomas e. Will. secretary OF
the association, is planning a trip to
South Carolina, some time soon, to make
addresses at the principal cities with
view to informing the public of the adj
vantages of this forest reserve. 1t is a
| mistaken Aea that these preserves are
| in any way, detrimental to the communi-
ties about which they are established,
| for they conserve the natural ad-
vantages of the country and prevent the
| disastrous floods and droughts, while at
| the same time they permit the use OF the
/ timber in an economical and scientific
manner. have given a good deal of
thought to the subject and can see no
argument against the establishment of a
limited forest reserve at the headwaters
of the most important rivers such as
the Saluda, the Catawba, the Broad ana
others in South Carolina.
1 feel sure that you will be glad to CO.
operate with Mr.. VIII and the officers of
the American Forestry association in ev-
cry way possible, and have made bold
to give him letter of Introduction to you
In the hope that you will use your tre-
mendous influence In the state of South
! Carolina to help him In his work Just
wha form this assistance should take can
probably best be determined later, but
/ feel confident you will be glad to aid
MFR. Will and Mr. Pinchot and others who
are conducting this uphill fight for the
preservation of the forests of North and
South Carolina
Thanking you for your kindly consider
alton of this matter and trusting that you
will cooperate In this work in every pos
sible way, I am, Sincerely yours.
ALBERT l.. SCOTT.
Governor Ansel being out of town at
tending the Gibson family reunion in
Marlboro, Secretary Bethea answered to
| that effect, but took occasion to assure
Mr.. Scott that the governor could be
Icounted upon to lend the scheme every
assistance that his personal or official in
fuence could bring to bear Mr.. Scott
lived for several years in Greenville,
where he represented Lockwood, Greene
L.