The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1909-12-17

The debt we owe the past for the
means which made our present
greatness possible is no greater than
the duty we owe to the future. y
Just how the Forest Service is
fulfilling its part in safe guarding
of the nations heritage is no doubt
matter of interest. Does the
establishing of National Forest
like the Superior National Forest
in northern Minnesota with draw
from use the public lands and their
products within it's boundaries,
shutting out the home builder,
removing it's timber from market,
closing its mining wealth, depriving
the counties in which it lies of the
tax income which would in time
have been theirs from it's lands?
Does it hold all these things for a
future time regardless of the pre-
sent and its needs? No, indeed.
On the other hand believe that
the establishing of the Superior
National Forest means so much
for the economic good of Minnesota
that in 20 years those whose fore
sight led to its withdrawal will be
held as among the greatest bene-
factors of the State. There are
many reasons for this belief. In
1908 this State cut about one and
one third billions of feet of lumber
the value of which was about 22- u
millions of dollars. That means
much in the industrial life of the
State. But the cut in 1908 was
over % per cent less than in 1907
The lumber industry in Minnesota
has reached its maximum yield
Quantity is decreasing while the
cost to the consumer is increasing.
In some localities the available
timber is being cut as rapidly as
possible. For one reason and an
other, the owners are not holding
even their young timber for a
future supply as can be done by the
control of Government, and 20
years. so 1 am told by large opara-
tors, will complete the cut of most,
concerns in the State. Your State
brush burning and fire warden laws
are excellent, and will do much to
make the day of exhaustion more
distant still, second growth timber
on State and private lands will
come into the market in time, but
the Superior National Forest will
when the time of need arrives, be
one of the most important factors
in solving the problems of supply.
There nearly a million acres of
natural forest land is being patrolled
and protected from fire. The
young growth on the burned over
areas will be growing to maturity.
The white and the Norway pin IS
will be dropping their seed. The
thrifty spruce will be ready to
supply the need. Species which
haye been called inferior will be
ready for cutting and scientific
treatment with representatives. to
prolong their life a half score years
on more. Hundreds of acres of
now denuded lands WILDE naturally
and by planting reforested, Nor
will the timber which is now ripe
and which can be cut on sound
silvicultural principles be left mean
while to rot. A sale which removes
old trees and dead timber is most
often beneficial to the forest. Both
the present good and the future
needs of both forest and people
must be considered, and this policy
provides for both present and a
future supply. A careful study of
the needs of the Forest must be
made in considering each prospec-
tive sale, and any general principle
is subject to modification to meet a
particular case, but the broad
principle that the resources of a
National Forest are all subject to a
wise and consistent use is true.
They are conserved for use, not
withdrawn from use.''
This means much. The min
ing interests of Northern Minnesota
and tributary to the Superior Forest
have reason to be glad that per-
petual supply of timber is being
protected at their very doors. Saw
mills and paper mills will draw
upon its wealth. The water powers
which its existence makes secure
are immense. By the protecting of
the young growth, by enforcing of
the burning of refuse, by planting,
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