Oxford Democrat., 1908-02-11
Mount Katahdin Reservation.
Bangor Commercially


One of the most gratifying things In
connection with the new public spirit
which has been created in recent years
in behalf of forestry, the conservation
and reforesting of wooded areas, and the
establishment of national forest pre-
serves In many states, Is that the efforts
now being made In q modest way by the
association or Federation of the
Women's Clubs of the state for the
preservation of Mount Kstahdin as a
public forest park and State or National
reservation for the use of the people,
was first started by the Commercial
more than ten years ago. To this plan,
the women Of the state-foremost In
every good work-and also few of the
men Of the State, are beginning to give
earnest and serious attention; although
when first started by the Commercial 1t
met with little response.
At the meeting of the women's clubs
Of Maine at Lewiston this week, the sub
ject of a Mount Katahdin State forest
reserve formed one of the subjects OF
greatest interest. It was urged by Mr..
John Appleton and Mrs. Grace q.
Thompson of this city; by Miss Eliza
beth K. Hobbs, by Mrs. George D.
Armstrong and by other speakers. Mr..
Appleton said the region of Mount
Katahdin is ideal for the purposes OF q
great state forest reservation and the
way to maintain its besuty and value for
the uses of the public Is to put 1t under
forest management as the only way to
preserve it from destruction by the axe.
L. ho q
State reserve of Mount Katahdin and
the adjoining region. In the course OF
her address Miss Hobbs said:
1--WE have in Maine in the region OF
Mount Katahdin tract of land wholly
unsuited to farming, but we'll adapted to
the growth of timber, q region, moreover,
which is one of the pleasure grounds not
only of the state but of the nation. Can
this federation undertake any better
work than that of agitation to make this
territory including Mount Katahdin a
state forest reserve, not only for the sake
of its beauty, but as a source of timber
supply for the state? l am told, the sys-
sem Of stripping 80 we'll known to us all
is rapidly going on at Mount Katahdin.
The Maine Federation of Women's Clubs
should give its support to q movement
for making Mount Katahdin and the ad-
joining region state forest reserve"
We are glad to see this movement
taking to itself greater unity, push, and
spirit than has before been given to it.
The state of New York is creating q
magnificent forest reserve in the Adiron-
dack region, and the general government
is also establishing national forest parks
throughout the Far West. Mount
Katahdin, however, is more favorably
located for such great park, forest
reservation, or pleasure ground for the
people than can be any similar region in
the country. No eastern state has the
great area OF natural forest, lake, mount
ain and wild wood scenery as is possessed
by Maine. Mount Katahdin, although
beautiful and wild in its virgin condi-
tion, is within easy reach of half dozen
of the largest cities of the Atlantic States
whose residents can enjoy its delights
as a natural park for the entire year;
while the great national parks of the
West are so far from the great cities as
to be of little value to those who would
most enjoy them-the people of the
large cities.
Miss Hobbs says the system of strip
ping the woods is going on rapidly at
Mount Katahdin. There is nothing un-
reasonable in this. Itg owners are sim
ply using their own property as they
have a right. Being men of great
wealth, however, and of large public
spirit, and devoted to the welfare of our
state, we believe they would welcome
any substantial movement having for
its object the purchase of one or two
townships, including that of Mount
Katahdin, for public reservation to be
kept for the benefit, pleasure and use of
the people of the nation, forever.