East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-03-20
THE FIGHT FOR THE FORESTS.

National forestry began with Cleve-
lands administration, when that ex-
ecutive, under, authority from con-
gress. set aside certain forests from
the national lands, says Stewart Ed
ward White in the American Maga-
zine.
National forests are farms of wood,
OF water power, of grazing. all for the
public benefit. Waste and perma-
nent injury to the forest cover are the
only restrictions. Any nan living near
a national forest can obtain free all
the timber he requires in one year up
to the value OF $50. If he requires
more than that amount he makes ap-
plication in due form.
Last year $4,000 of these free-use
permits were issued. All the timber
l.. a national forest is for sale at
reasonable price. but only ripe trees
are cut, and in such a manner as to
protect the young trees from destruc-
ton. The work must be undertaken
within six months and completed
within a specified time, and, wher-
ever necessary, brush and tops must
be piled and burned. These provis-
ions prevent "skinning" and the fires
that succeed that piratical process,
also holding for future speculation.
Lumber companies in California
are. heavy purchasers Of government
timber. One of these tried to grab,
then to steal, and finally decided to
buy Another was caught trespassing
| in the He'll Gate forest and was>mulc-
ted in $4,000 damages. 1t paid and
Immediately bought 100000 worth
more of the timber it had been steal
ing Still the country's timber to the
extent of four-fifths is in private
hands. Receipts from sales rose from
$50, 900 in 1906 to s75O,OOO in 1906
Homes may be located, mines ex-
plotted. and the grazing industry pro-
NOTED in the national forests. but
mushroom settlements to further
the land thieves in "skinning" the for
ests are prohibited.
Last year 100000 animals were
psstured therein, and the small and
local cattleman is given preference
to the big raiser who lives farther
away. All our irrigation and water
projects are dependent on the forest
cover, which absorbs the rain and
moisture like sponge, and prevents
the floods and erosion. Reservoirs
residences, pipe lines, bitches, stores
warehouses. wood yards, hotels, cleo
trio railroads, livery stables. summer
resorts, mining camps, windmills, and
even two cemeteries are to be found
in these forests.
Not only must they be protected
against misuse and trespass, but
against their greatest enemy, fire.
Last year only one-eighth of l per
cent was burned over and only three
one-hundredths of 1 per cent actually
destroyed. In all 100 fires were ex-
tinguished by the forest rangers, at
total cost of only $4,000. This alone
justifies the existence of the forest
service.
The protective force last summer
numbered 1900, giving each man an
average Of 2O6 square miles of noun
tairous wilderness-that is to say, an
area greater than nine Manhattan
islands.
He patrols and polices this district,
issues permits, builds trails, attends
TO the business interests and fights
fires, in addition to cooking for him
self and caring for his animals. For
the same area that We have one
guardian-2O6 square miles-Prussia
employs 120 men, and finds 1t pays.
POLITICAL LITERATURE.