East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-02-09
Governor Vests Idea of Ex-
changing Scattered Tracts
for Compact Body Favored.
FORESTRY SERVICE
OFFICIAL VOICES APPROVAL
Forest Department Will Work for
Special. Legislation on the Part Of
Congress Which Would BE Neces-
sary to Put Scheme Into Effect
Some Delay Must Be Expected.

Salem, Or, Feb. 9-Governor
Vests proposal to exchange about
$4,000 acres of scattering state lands
in the national forests In Oregon for
a compact tract to be selected within
the Cascade national forest to be es-
tablished as a state forest has met
with the highest approval Of H. s.
Graves of the government forestry
service, who has sent q communica-
tion on the subject to Governor West.
The forestry service desires to know
what is the approximate value of the
state lands which 1t is proposed to ex-
change TO the government, and in or
der to make the exchange special
legislation will have to be enacted by
congress. which can hardly be accom-
plished at this session owing to the
proximity of the day OF adjournment.
Mr.. Graves says he read the por-
tion of Governor Vests message re-
lating to this subject with great inter-
est. and says further:
THE frlendliness you express for the
forest reserve system will, / am con-
ndent, materially promote Its ad-
vancement and acceptance by the peo-
pie as a permanent policy Of both state
and nation.
In Accordance With Reasons.
81 am quite in accord with your rea-
sons for desiring to establish the state
forest you propose and most heartily
agree with your views as to the results
to be achieved by its creation.
80 far as / can render any service
u+h hn ,,.,r,
be very glad to cooperate IN advanc-
ing your purpose.
preliminary to deciding on any
proposition of exchange, such as is
proposed. and securing legislation to
effectuate Il. it would be important,
of course, to the forest service 70
know somewhat OF the character and
value OF the lands offered by the state
and approximately at least, the par
ticularly area OF land within the Cas-
cade national forest which the state
OF oregon desires for use as a forest
With this view | have sent to the dis
trict forester Mt Portland. Or. the list
you enclosed of base lands available
for indemnity selections which lands
are proposed for the exchange, with
a request tnat ne SUBMIT q report 10
me concerning them at the earliest
practicable moment 1t would facili-
tate, of course, consideration of the
question of the exchange and its ad-
visibility so far as the national for
est service and its economical admin
istration is concerned, IL you could
designate even tentatively the COM
pact body sought by the state within
the Cascade national forest.
Some Delay Expected.
"It seems hardly possible that con-
gress could at this session In view OF
the short time remaining before ad-
journment enact the required legis-
lation authorizing the department OF
agriculture to make an exchange,
should an exchange be agreed upon
Some delay also Is to be expected In
securing an early report from the
district forester on the list Of lands
submitted to you, in view OF the sea-
son OF year rendering field examina-
tions, II necessary, somewhat slow and
difficult As soon, however, as the
district forester's report is received,
which will be accompanied undoubt-
edly with suggestions requiring con-
sideration, shall be very glad to dis
cuss the entire subject Of the exchange
with Senator Chamberlain OF your
state"