Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-12-19

administration of definite forest policy.
This policy so far the western states
were concerned simply meant that all OF the
public lands covered with timber of commercial
value, and all the mountain ranges which were
important sources of water supply, would be
Withdrawn from entry and as national forests De
managed by the federal government
At that time, 1901, and 1902 the valuable timber
and grazing lands were being taken up very rapid
ly by the lumber companies and stockmen and
PROMPT action was necessary if the forests and
sources of water supply, which the president look
ed upon national resources were TO be preserved
for the use Of the people for all time
He therefore caused the timber regions and
mountain ranges OF the western states to be ex-
arnined, mapped and described and with this IN
formation to guide him he proceeded to reserve
as national forests all the lands important for
their timber or for their water supplying capacity
sTuPENDoUs WORK.
The work Of examining and mapping the lands
was begun In 1909, and practically completed IN
1906 In all about so0.oooooo were examined
OF which about 600 were included within
national forests by proclamation of the president
stated briefly the forest reserve conditions are
about as follows: The total Of western states
Arkansas Arizona. California Colorado. Kansas
Montana Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ores
con. South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Ore
gon, is approximately 1000. 100000, acres or
this 1b5 900 900 acres L. cent is in national
forest,
These lands have about 500 billion feet of timber
or one-half Of the total supply Of the west and
worth a billion dollars
Probably rs per cent of the forest lands are
used for grazing purposes and they are now pro-
yiding feed for the whole part OF the feed for
100000 sheep and 100000 cattle and horses
which together represent investment in live
stock, grazing and ranch land Of S100,0oO,oo0 or
more.
Then in the streams flowing through the forest
are almost incalculable water powers which some
time will be used to furnish the power to run the
railroads streetcars factories, mines for lighting
and heating and numerous other purposes.
BEING HELD IN TRUST
In short the federal government holds in these
national forests the benefit of the people Of the
west resources in wood. water and forage worth
several billions Of dollars and its one object In their
,nafagement, is to preserve and improve these
vast resources for the use of this and coming
generations.
great res o,lrces were used by the people Of the
West wit hort restriction and without payment
10 the government and 1t could not but happen that
the enforcement OF regulations covering their use,
would meet with criticism on the part OF ms
bcnefcaries of the governments previous pohcS
Of Indulgence and sufferepce. A large proportion OF
this anttgonism has disappeared In the ast Two OF
,rrse yaars E,,t many people still hold the policy
Ia he contrary TO democratic principles and
should like to try In this article TO snow tnat the
first policy adopted BY the administration is : ne
only possible solution OF problem which mas
confronted the government of the United states
since its ncepton
The prosperity of every nation IS aepenueie ~.
tle capacity of the territory which 1t nhabits
to s1pply the necessities of life which In this
modern civilization consist of food, and water
clothing and shelter, heat and power THESE are
all products of the natural resources, SOIL wafer YER
minerals and that nation will enjoy me stea'est
prosperity longest lifc.and greatest aus - y