Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-03-08
FOREST RESERVE
POLICY SCORED
SENATOR HEPBURN ARGUES
AGAINST INCREASED APP.
PRECIPITATION.
Says One Man on Land II Better
Than 10000 Trees.

WASHINGTON. March s.-The
forestry reservation question was dis.
eussed and the forest service was
criticised by Senator Hepburn OF
Idaho, during confederation OF the
agricultural bill before the senate.
The measure carries an appropriation
Of s5,703.70O for the forest service.
Or about 100000 IN exceas OF the
receipts from the service.
Senator Hepburn eontended that
the appropriation was increasing
from year to year, whereas assurance
had been given that the service
would be self-sustaining. He said
the last administration had been
conducted regardless Of the rights 81
the settlers OF the west and had gone
upon the theory that where there
was no law there should be no n
cense. He expressed confidence, how
ever, that the country was now en-
tering upon a different system.
One Man Better Than 10000 Trees.
He contended that the best use for
the land was settlement and declared
that he would rather have one man
on an acre OF ground than 10 have
10000 trees, and one Aldsrney COW
than a whole herd Of spotted fawn.
Answering objections that the pub
tic lands we're owned by all the peo-
Pile OF the east as we'll as 81 the
west, he said they were only owned
b. eastern people to the extent or
their utilization.
A going to show the effect OF the
withdrawal OF the lands in given
community. Senator Hepburn said
that while two-thirds OF the land in
Bonner county. Idaho. was Ia forest
eserye and owned by the govern
nent II contributed only $500 a year
10 the support OF public institutions.
while the private owners OF the re-
naming one-third paid $4,000 In
iaxes.
Quoting from a newspaper a state
uent that a million dollars worth OF
imber soon was to be sold BY the
forestry officials In Idaho, Senator
Hepburn argued that the timber aid
lot conserve the snow supply. In
deed, he said. his observation had
aught him that the sHow lying under
he trees melted much more rapidly
than on the bare ground.
While the agricultural bill was un-
der consideration there was extend
d discussion OF a provision Appro-
iriating $4,000 for the invastlga-
Ion for the drainage Of swamp
ands. Senator Gallinger found In
be paragraph the possibility OF en-
ering upon the reclamation pf
swamp lands. and said that II that
vas to be done It would Involve an
expenditure Of millions Of dollars.
Later when Senator Hepburn sug-
gested that the expenditure OF the
money should be confined to lands
lyerh0wed by irrigation. Gallinger
said.
If the government Is going into
his sort OF thing wish 1t would take
the rocks OF the land up in New
Hampshire"
He said such a policy would
swamp the government. and he
warned senator's that II they expect
Cd to curtall expenditures TO the ex-
tent of $500. 900. 900. a. Senator
Aldrlch had said this must be done.
they could not so far in the dlree-
ton OF this provision. In speaking
OF the amendment Senator Money
said the only fault he found with
Secretary Wilson was that he was
too economical.
He has not mlsspent a dollar. I"
he said, land we cant trust him. He
has done a great deal TO instruct as.
and We want to empower him to con-
ktinua to do So