The San Francisco call., 1908-03-23
LULL WILL FACE
ACCUSERS TODAY
Governors Conference on De-
vastatiOn of Redwood Park
TO Meet at Stanford
Must Answer Charge That De-
structiOn of Trees Is Due
of Politics


forester, and an incompetent board and
corps of politician assistants are pers
hitting the destruction of redwoods in
the state park at Big basin, will con-
vene today at Stanford university. Lull
viii be there with the state forestry
board and documents TO support his as
sertion that the destruction, which has
stirred the people of the entire state to
anger. was not prompted by political
considerations. Among these Will be
kilograms to and from Clifford Pinchot,
head OF the federal forestry bureau, in
which is set out LulIs contention that
only dead redwoods and other trees
killed by the fire of 1904 were being
removed, and these only to enhance the
beauty Of the park.
Ofsetting this he will have to face
numerous accusers, among them club
women and men, forestry experts from
the universities and editors. who have
made specific charges that Lull was
incompetent and burdened by assistants
who held their places more because of
political services rendered than knowl-
edge Of forestry, and that the redwoods
living trees, the best for lumber, and
not the dead ones-were being ruth
lessly destroyed. The Watsonville Paja-
roman and the Santa Cruz Surf have
charged that William Epson, a Santa
Cruz wOodman to whom Lull awarded
the contract for removing the fire de-
bris. ignored the dead trees and turned
his sawyers upon the living sequoias
Immediately after the visiting season at
the park closed last October.
BIG TREES ARE FELLED
Forty-nine of the largest trees, 1t
was found by the Sempervirens club
Of San Jose, which started the first
investigation few weeks ago had
been felled and the choicest portions
taken away to be used as lumber.
More than that, not only did the con-
tractor fail to remove the debris and
dead trees as originally contracted, but
he also left the forest strewed with
the debris Of the live trees that had
been felled and IN greater danger from
fire than before.
II is directly claimed by many OF
those who have come to the rescue
of the seQuoias that the destruction
of the trees was the result OF incom-
petence on the part of Forester Lull
and his subordinates. who. it is said,
were appointed entirely for political
reasons.
Lull was an appointee of Governor
James n. Gillett and succeeded E. T.
Allen, who had been in charge for two
years. When Lull took charge the
warden was J. H B. PiIkington, who
had served in that position since 1903
and understood his duties thoroughly
For time Lull retained Pilkington
But then there came rumors of a
change.
1t began to be noised that Pilking-
toms position was wanted for State
senator Rambo, and that unless Rambo
got the position there would be no
park appropriation, so it is said. Pilk-
ington resigned and Rambo became
warden. Soon afterward came the con-
tract and the destruction of the big
trees.
CHARGE POLITICAL DEALS
Some Of those who worked hardest
for the redwoods are bitter in their
denunciation of the present park off,
Gals and open in their charges of
political deals. Among them is A. A.
Taylor. editor of the Santa Cruz Surf.
In statement Taylor said:
Forester Z. T. Allen and J. H B.
Pilkington, the warden of the park.
were high minded, patriotic men. who
held high ideals as to their duties to
the state and posterity. Pilkington's
commission was not only nonpartisan.
but nonpolitical. Allen was a man well
fitted for his place and during his brief
term Of service did much to develop
and advance this branch of the public
service. The policy of Clifford Pinchot,
recognized as the highest authority in
the United States on the subject of
forestry. was followed until Lull came
IN year ago.
In the second year of his service
Allen was succeeded by G. B. Lull, the
present forester. Lull was greeted
with good will and confidence in his
of1ce-until he forfeited it.
When Forester Lull came on the
job he expressed satisfaction with
what Warden Pilkington had done, but
by any by something happened.
Early in Governor Gilletts admin
istration he took pains to let it be
known. through several interviews in
the papers, that he was opposed to
the forestry appropriation.
CREATES JOB FOR RAMBO
Friends of forestry all over the
state were much agftated. Not only
was the care. and Improvement of the
state park involved, but the whole
scheme Of forestry work
Then something else happened. It
was put up TO Forester LuIl that if he
would fire Warden PiIkington and
put State Senator Rambo in the place.
then the governor would sign the for
estry appropriation bills. Otherwise
there would be nothing doing in for
estry matters.
We know the rest
Forester Lull took the first train
from Sacramento to Santa Cruz 70
solicit Warden Pilkington's resigna-
ton on these terms. Lieutenant Gov
ernor Porter had demanded this place
for Rambo and If he couldn't give II.
then the appropriations would be
hung up.
Mr. Pilkington resigned. AS soon
as State Forester Rambo ceased to
draw per diem as senator he was nut
on the list TO draw the salary Of The
park warden OF course, somebody
had to look after the park. so J. n
Creek was appointed
Lull viii rely in great measure 11non
his correspondence with Pinchot TO
prove that he has acted in good faith.
Their kilograms and letters are as fol-
lows:
Sacramento. February %
Clifford Pinchot, Forester, Washin9ton-r7nde-
contract dead and down hr. oak and madrone
being removed from California redwood ns * :
also down redwood and such standing redwood
state board OF forestry deSfenates Latter
either dead or having very small amount adj
ventitious foliage All result IRE 1900 Re-
moval for purposes beaufifying and protecting
park only Sempervirens club and many news
papers are supposed 10 policy. claiming desecra-
tion. vandalism. etc Say on your visit to mark
you stated no cutting should be done under snr
circumstances ] desire your opinion. LULL