The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-03-07
The Forestry Problem.

Pocatello Tribune: The discovery last week of
1850 head of scabby sheep in Bannock and Oneida
counties out of total of 10000 inspected by Fed
eral representative of the bureau of animal industry
indicates the wisdom of the Idaho Wool Growers
Association in demanding of the Government that
the Federal sheep quarantine in this State be en-
forced. Since the re-estabshment of the bureau of
animal industry the healthfuness of the livestock
in the West has been greatly increased The
bureau is administered apparently, by who
are con to their job" and their in the field
most capable The re-estabishment of a strict
Federal quarantine which repeated clippings
under the direct supervision of competent representa-
tives of the Government, will result in clean
bands in the Gem State.
In this connection the feeling of the flock masters
of Idaho toward the National administration, with
particular reference to the forestry bureau, is very
different from their feelings toward the bureau of
animal industry. They assert that one Injuries their
business and the other helps it. The unthlnklng
might jump to the conclusion that their opinions,
on these two questions, which based on the
matter of profit are not of value. On the con-
trary there is ample basis for belief that the
sheep honest in their stand on the forest
reserve problem and is conceivable that they have
some real grievances. At any rate, the sheep men
not opposed to the administration, except insofar
they believe it is contemplating the extension of
policies which, when applied, they fear might hurt
one of the principal industries of the West.
the target for all sorts of criticisms, he undertook
to answer them from the public platform. He made
tour of the West and delivered many interesting
addresses and lectures. Occasionally he landed into
hotbed of critics, and in such Jared badly.
At the conclusion of his tour Mr. Pinchot is said
to have notified the President that hereafter he
would not make a punching bag of himself, and
would decline most respectfully, but still firmly, to
further attempt to defend the Governments for
estry policies in public debate He issued the dictum
that from this time on, all people who have grev-
ances against criticism of the forestry bureau,
must take the matter up through their Congressman
and Senators. Mr.. Pinchot did not mean to sug-
gest that the forestry problem be made political
issue. He merely insisted that protests come not
from the platform but from the people through their
congressional representatives. He believed it pos
sble, probably, to be successful in fighting
single handed with Congressman than in stand
ing fguratively naked before audience and
swerng pertinent and sometimes impertinent ques-
TONS
The forestry theory is admittedly good. There
may may not be in the in which
it is being administered There is always this, how
ever, to remember with consultations In due time
all errors will be corrected. Forestry in America
is largely experiment. 1t has been a success,
though not complete Yet it can safely be re-
lied upon that the administration of every policy
Of National Government by the Republican party
will be directed toward securing the greatest good
TO the greatest number.