The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-27
REDWOOD FOREST
FOR Government
William Kent, Of Chicago, Makes
Gift to Uncle
Sam.
[special to Tho times. plspatch.l

Especial to Tho Times. Dlspatch.l
WASHINGTON. January as.-one OF
tho most publio-spirited gifts evAr
made to the government has come
from William Kent. OF Chicago. who
has just decided to the United States
295 acres OF primeval redwood forest
on the southern slope of Mt. Tama,-
pals, about six miles from the city of
San Francisco. The land was decided to
the government with the approval OF
Forester Clifford Pinchot, Chief OF the
United States Forest Service. The pa.
pers have now gone to the Secretary
OF the Interior and proclamation de-
claring the canyon a national moru-
ment will be signed at an early date.
This means that more OF Californias
redwood giants Will be saved for the
scientific study and pleasure of the
whole country. in fact the whole world,
for the great sequoias are only found
In the Golden State.
This grove given to the government
by Mr.. Kent Is ono Of the only tracts
OF redwood forests to be found In its
natural state In California to-day. The
land Is said to have cost Mr.. Kent
$4,000 Some years ago. but its stand
OF redwood timber alone Is now valued
at more than $4,000 on the market.
The canyons of Tamalpais which
drain Into San Francisco Bay, were
cut clean years go and the redwood
obtained from them wentlnto the con-
struction OF the old San Francisco.
The giants on the tract to be known
as Muir Woods escaped the ak. how
ever, chiefly because the outlet Is on
the ocean side. instead OF the bay side.
and also because the various owners
OF the land have for sentimental rea-
sons jealousy guarded the timber
from harm or destruction. Modern
methods OF logging would make short
work OF the timber. and would, be-
sides, put handsome profit in the
hands OF the owners.
It is the intention to name the ma
Stionnl monument Muir Woods" after
John Muir, the noted naturalist. The
giants OF Redwood Canyon will now
be given permanent protection by vtr-
tue of the act OF June 8. 1906, which
provides that objects OF scientific In
terest may be declared national fmonu-
Smanrs If such action Is deemed neces-
ssary for their preservation and pro-
lection. This 2a5-acre track Will be a
pleasure ground as well as q place for
3cally Of the whole Of California, for
within a radius OF fifty-two miles OF
the canyon two- thirds OF the popula-
itlon of the entire State aregcentred. Az,
none Of the big trees have been cut,
their age is. Of course. somew hat proh-
Slenlatical, but 1t Is safe to say that the
veterans have stood from 1000 to
1900 years. sss
The total stand Of redwood. roughly
estina ted, is about ao,ooo.oo0 feet, with
some 5000, 900 feet OF Fir, and a very
seonsi derable amount Of tan bark oak.
has a market value Of 100000 as il
stands. s5s sl ssj
The destruction of redwood by luln-
bering has been 80 rapid in theta
decade that 1t is now only q question
OF years when the original growth will
have wholly disappeared. J, Its eStraordi-
nary scientific educational value.
along with the fact that u Is q pleas
Nro ground for al Of the :. 2 who
live or visit this part !, g California,
monument. &