The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
SOON TO HAVE BIG
FOREST RESERVE

FOREST RESERVE
CONTINUED from First Pageo
CATION only OF lands belonging to the
United States or of territorial lands.
But even this decision need not be
re garded as final. in so far as 1t should
control In the Appalachian case. 1t Is
admitted that had the intervention OF
the government in the case Of the Ar
kansas River been based upon the al
Legation that the diversion OF the
waters by either OF the two States In
vo1ved would interfere with and re-
strict commerce, the Supreme Court
would have decided for the govern
nent.
The clause Of the Constitution which
gives the Congress the power to reSu-
late commerce Is construed most broad
~. Under the commerce clause we
have seen Congress undertake and do
almost everything which tho fathers
used to contend belonged 10 the power
of the State alone.
River and hn,bor Improvement has
always beer looked upon as within the
province of the national government
alone. All navigable streams are under
the control of the Secretary, OF War.
and a congressional enactment is ncces- !
shry before q bridge spanning one may
be erected.
Congress has the right to authorize
and pay for digging dirt and sand out
of the rivers, under the name of river
Improvement II the Congress- has this
power. why not the power to provide
against the dirt and debris washing
down Into the rivers?
T1lo ton, 10 I,o yJ IN
out the reply sustains the right of
Congress to authorize the purchase of
wooded watersheds for tho purpose of Il
preventing their denudation. thus put
ting an end to the floods which choke
up the channels of tho navigable
streams.
Every expert who has studied the
subject agrees that unless there Is
some method adopted whereby the de-
structtve floods of recent years are
rendered impossible, that the rivers
And other experts, devotlng their time
and brains to study of the forested
areas which surround tho headwaters
| of all our largest rivers. are unanimous
In the opinion that tho only way to put
an end to the floods Is to preserve the
forests.
The advocates of the establishment
or the Appalachian-w White Mountain re-
serve have a complete chain of reason
ing from the Constitution when thew
undertake to show authority for ask
ing the government to undertake the
great work.
of Asrteuitur miI 10 o, LINE. the p ,
public. recommends that the national
government acquire land for the mari,
as follows: !s
Tennessee ............ 4.ss2 non acras
Kentucky ............ 1893 900 acres
Alabama .............. $4,000 acres
,eorgia ............... 1906 900 acres
North Carolina. ........ 1852. 900 acres
west virsinis.......... 5,7e7,ooo acres
MARYLAND ............. $4,000 acres
rota, s,o,ooo.
that sI57 .i ano s .nr secretary recommends
! tains be purebassd - me Teas Mhite Noun
Were made after reconnaissanc ,.A sn ,ss
vey by representatives. ~ tha ne sur
ment of Agriculture .ct,n ,ne pepart-
or Congress.
The Secretary of Agriculture .,,..
shanld i"e not ,aa cost n The the ehisns
$3.50 per acre, while t bbafe r. NJ over
Mountains should not cost t n White
| Sc to IS an acre az :. 80, 70 exceed
not recommend the pur rI1e he s does
f E,n forest but cut-over land az as Y tbe
Secretary Wilson re rec sAprns,Ge. ~.
an appropriation Of ss,soo.ooo hs That
immediately avatlahle FOR ~ De made
IF 5000 900 acres. distributed e over she
a argh p watersheds of the following rive i've
c. C,has4wha. Broad saluda, sa1 Hanx,h'
4 Cumberland. Kentyci,., ien nm New.
hela. 1t is recommended tba mos eon ga
acres in the White Monn,, t.at aooC
chased. costing ri o5o mo MS pc pur-
additional appropriation of s25o w o6h an an
rounding recreation p rrnun tracts sur
White rh Mountains. 0''s IN the
that the establishment 81 fo4 tbe ,ou SAYS
should in every VA, bo,ne.' Wy reserve
tries of the sout hey cement nna the indus.
White Mountain regions 4paiachlan and
1t would tend to = make max, the l,mher.
Temporary for q ffast amer than